
'Tis the Star Spangled Banner! 

0, long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free 

And the home of the brave! 



HISTORY 



OR 



BATTERY "A." 



FIRST ILLINOIS 



LIGHT ARTILLERY 



VOLUNTEERS 



CHARLES Bl KIMBELL 



CHICAGO: 

GUSHING PRINTING COMPANY 

1899 






A beautiful Monumeqt, in memory of the Battery's dead, was 
erected iq Rose Hill Cemetery in 1874. The cost with the stoqe 
curbing, foundation and filling was $3,052,75, $2,000 of whicrj was 
generously donated by Capt, Srqith for that purpose iq his will, The 
balaqce was paid by subscriptions from members aqd frieqds, A mon- 
urqeqt corqmittee having the matter in charge consisted of the follow- 
ing members: C, B. Kimbell, Olof Benson, J, W, Rumsey, S, W, But- 
terfield aqd John L, Stockton, Tl^e Battery Veteran Associatioq has a 
FULL PAID UP contract with trje Rose Hill Cemetery Company for the 
PERPETUAL CARE of the lot and Monument, As rqany of the merqbers 
as can do so, meet every yeai on Decoratioq Day at the Monument, 




BATTERY "A," CHICAGO LIGHT ARTILLERY MONUflENT, 
ROSE HILL CEMETERY, CHICAGO, ILL. 



t-f 






PREFACE. 



TO RECORD the history and achievements of noted military organi- 
zations, is a desire both natural and commendable. The reasons are 
too various and obvious to the thoughtful mind to require any apol- 
ogy for so recording. The attempt has been made in this work to narrate, 
as fully as practicable, from all the reliable data obtainable, a clear, concise 
and continuous tale of the work of our cherished Battery in doing its part 
in assisting, to put down the War of the Rebellion from 1861 to 1S65, and 
to give brief biographical sketches of its individual members, so as to make 
it both useful and interesting for all future reference. 

This history I would dedicate to my dear comrades of Battery "A," 
who stood manfully by each other during the trying times of war; and 
having as steadfastly continued to do so in the " piping times of peace," 
I am encouraged in this effort to reproduce the main and important inci- 
dents connected with the Battery's long active and eventful career. It is 
not strange that old comrades, who for months and years, shared the dan- 
gers and privations of army life, in camp, on the march and battlefield; 
many having suffered sickness and hunger, in hospitals and prison pens, 
should desire to keep alive the memories and associations of those trying 
times. We are all hastening on to our final muster-out. In all human 
probability most of our surviving comrades will have answered the last 
roll call, by the close of the next decade, and will assemble on the parade 
ground of eternity. 

A conscious feeling that I have done what was within my feeble power 
to keep alive and strengthen the fraternal feelings which have always bound 
together the members of old Battery "A," and to perpetuate the memory of 
the living and our noble dead, prompts me to undertake, before too late, the 
task of recording our history. 



viii PREFACE 

In writing the history of the Battery it is not the design of the writer 
to furnish a history of the AVar in the west, or of the Army of the Tennes- 
see, to which the Battery belonged, nor will any attempt at doing so be 
made, only so far as the humble part taken in the great struggle by our 
gallant Battery is connected with it. In fact, the history of the Army ol 
the Tennessee is but a history of our Battery, for it was in nearly all the 
great battles of the west, and the records of the war are full of its achieve- 
ments, and this would be sufficient for the public at large, and for general 
history. But the Battery was like one large family, and all its members 
were proud of and loyal to it. All were tried in the balance and not found 
wanting in fidelity to each other, in patriotism and valor, which bound 
them together with no ordinary ties. The object of this history is to con- 
dense and perpetuate the achievements of the Battery, with the daily details 
and prominent incidents, which were of so much interest to its members,, 
but would find no place in the general history of the war, and make it of 
personal value to each individual member and all its friends, bringing us 
more closely in touch with one another during the few remaining years of 
our lives, and make it an heirloom worthy of being handed down to future 
generations of our descenclents. 

I w r isli to return my sincere thanks to the many comrades and friends 
who have contributed in various ways to the completeness and accuracy ot 
this history. Conscious that the entirely successful accomplishment ot 
this task is more than could reasonably be promised or expected, I ask as 
mild criticism of my labor as possible, trusting that my efforts may be ap- 
preciated in the same fraternal spirit in which they are made. 

Fraternally, 

C. B. K1MBELL. 



HISTORY 



OR 



Battery U A" First Illinois 

LIGHT ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS 



CHAPTER L 

ti TN THE beginning" of Chicago, or a few years thereafter, the public- 
spirited and patriotic citizens of that embryo city, formed several 
military militia companies, among them the Chicago Light Artil- 
lery, afterwards Battery "A," Chicago Light Artillery, and, still later, Co. 
"A" 1st Illinois Artillery Vols., as it was officially known when in the U. S. 
service during the War of the Rebellion. The first militia organization in 
the city was a company of mounted volunteers, which was mustered into 
service May 23, 1832, and was mustered out June 23 of the same year. 
Various companies afterward sprung up and had their day. In discussing 
the military situation at that time, the Chicago American says : 'The for- 
mation of a dragoon company would be much too expensive, for each mem- 
ber would be required to furnish himself with a good horse. An artillery 
company would not meet our wants, it being an arm of the service that moves 
with the heaviness of its own eighteen or twenty-four pounders," etc. This 
is the first mention we find regarding artillery in the history of Chicago. 
The next mention is in the Chicugo Democrat, "Long John" Wentworth's 
paper, of Nov. 13, 1817, which says : "At a meeting of citizens at the 
office of R. K. Swift for the purpose of organizing a company of cavalry 
and flying artillery, Mr. Rankin was chairman and C. F. Howe, secretary. 
Committee on constitution, Capt, J. B. F. Russell, R. K. Swift, John R. Orr,. 
James Smith and C. F. Howe. Committee on uniform, R. K. Swift and 
Dr. Boardman." November 23d the same paper says : "Captain Swift's. 



10 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 



cavalry company, accompanied by a piece of artillery, and a band of music 
paraded the streets yesterday. They made a tine appearance, and created 
an unusual stir in the city. After parading the streets the company retired 
without the city limits and continued firing some time. We should judge 
from the time between each report that the gun was well handled." Again, 
a later issue, in the same month, says : "The cavalry and flying artillery 
will meet to-day at the old garrison ground. We hope all who take an in- 
terest in military affairs will be in attendance. The artillery will be es- 
corted by a band of music outside the city limits, where there will be some 
practice in gunnery." 

For a long season after the close of the Mexican War, peace ensued, 
and until the breaking out of the Civil War, in 1861, the military companies 
were not called out for any work more serious than to quell some local dis- 
turbances, notably the famous "lager beer riot," or to add to the gorgeous- 
ness and impressiveness of some holiday parade. At the close of 1860 all 
the military organizations of the city, even those who had maintained but 
a nominal organization, aroused by the peril threatening the country, and 
assuming fresh vitality from the spontaneous wave of patriotism that was 
sweeping over the country, answered to its call with solid ranks, filled with 
the best young blood of the land, and marched with more enthusiasm to 
the battlefield, than ever in the quiet days of peace to the holiday parade 
or drill. The Chicago Hussars and Light Artillery were organized as be- 
fore stated, in November, 1847, as follows : Captain, E. K. Swift; 1st 
Lieut., James Smith; 2d Lieut., Nelson Buchanan; 3d Lieut., C. F. Howe; 
Cornet, John A. Reichert. R. K. Swift was continued as captain until 
May 5, 1851, when the Chicago Light Artillery was organized with Capt., 
James Smith; 1st Lieut., Ezra Taylor; 2d Lieut., E. W. Hadley; Commis- 
sarv, H. S. Speers. The battery records now in existence, show that the 
organization was a small but healthy and active one between 1851 and the 
spring of 1861. 

On the 11th of April, 1861, Gen. Beuregard, commanding the rebel 
forces at Charleston, demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter. The demand 
not being complied with, fire was opened upon it on the 12th, and its evac- 
uation followed on the 11th. Immediately after the firing on the Fort over 
which floated the national flag, President Lincoln called for 75,000 volun- 
teer troops for 90 days. Gen. Grant, in his memoirs, says : "If the shot at 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 1 3 

Ft. Sumter was heard around the world, the call for 75,000 men was heard 
throughout the Northern States. There was not a State in the North, of 
one million inhabitants, that would not have furnished the entire number." 
Chicago, as in everything else, was foremost in her efforts to furnish her 
quota of troops, and in less than three days, more men had offered them- 
selves than could be taken in the city militia organizations, which were 
filled to their maximum number, and their services offered immediately to 
the Governor, gallant old " Dick " Yates, one of the noblest war governors 
among the loyal States. Their offer was accepted, and on the night of 
Sunday, April 21, the first body of troops in the war, left the city on the 
Cairo expedition. 

The Battery's first appearance in public was at the grand muster by 
Gen. R. K.Swift on that ever memorable Sunday morning, April 21st, 1861, 
on the streets of this cit3\ The infantry consisted of two companies of the 
old Ellsworth Zouaves, the Chicago Turn-Gemeinde company, and Captains 
Mihalotzky's and Harding's companies. After the muster they were confined 
to their quarters in the armory, and communication with the outside world 
cut off. Preparations for immediate transportation South were commenced 
and the final departure via the I. C. R. R. took place at 9 p. m. amid the 
tears and shouts of the thousands who thronged the lake shore to bid them 
farewell. 

President Lincoln's first call for troops found the Battery organization 
a ready nucleus for forming a first-class battery on very short notice. It 
was recruited to the maximum number in less than twenty-four hours after 
the rolls were opened, and many more recruits offered themselves than 
could be accepted. Many of the old members enrolled themselves, headed 
by Capt. James Smith. Among them were, E. P. Tobey, Edward Mend- 
sen, W. L. Southworth, John R. Botsfurd, and many others. Among its 
members were some of the most prominent business men of the city. Its 
outfit was a full field battery of four guns, with caissons, battery wagon, 
forge, harness, etc. It was stationed in the old armory building on the 
corner of Adams and Franklin streets. Capt. James Smith was an old and 
efficient artillery officer, then a member of a prominent lumber firm. The 
company was organized under the militia laws of the State, and was called 
into service by Governor Richard Yates in response to the first call of Pres- 
ident Lincoln. Nearly all its members were young men, many of them 



14 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

born or raised in this city and educated in her schools, and they were, there- 
fore, fully entitled to the name they bore, a name that became as famous 
throughout the army as the name of our city has since become throughout 
the world, for its great strides in commercial and industrial progress. 

There was the wildest excitement among the entire populace of the 
city, and the greatest enthusiasm among the soldier boys, who were eager to 
avenge the insult offered to our flag at Ft. Sumter. Little did they dream 
that it would be many months before they would have the dire experience 
of a regular battle, and instead of closing out the rebellion in 90 days, that 
over four years of terrible warfare would ensue before the declaration of 
peace. It was well for them perhaps that they could not foresee the future. 

The roster of Company A, Chicago Light Artillery as it left Chicago, 
Sunday 10:30 r. m., April :21st, 1861, via 111. Cen. R. K., arriving at Cairo, 
111., Monday 11 a. m., April 22nd, is as follows : 

Captain, James Smith; Sr. 1st Lieut., Chas. M. Willard; Jr. 1st Lieut., 
Francis Morgan; Sr. 2nd Lieut,, John R. Botsford; Jr. 2nd Lieut., Peter 
P. Wood; 1st Sergt., A. It. Abbott; Quarter Master Sergt., Edgar P. Tobey ; 
Chiefs of Pieces, (Sergeants), Ed. Mendsen, Samuel Beers, Chas. C. Briggs, 
John W. Rumsey, Thos. E. Taylor, Horace S. Foote, Corporals (gunners) 
J. L. Thompson, Thaddeus S. Clarkson, Hoxie L. Hoffman, Jacob Cling- 
man, Henry II. Handy, Win. L. South worth. Chiefs of Caissons , Harry 
Morgan, Arthur M. Kenzie, George E. Adams, Sam. F. Chi Ids, Adam C. 
Hall, Geo. McCagg. Commissary, Horace W. Chase ; Assistant Commis- 
sary, Chas. W. Poole. Farrier, James Taylor. 

Privates : Abbott L. Adams, Alex. Anderson, W. Ames, M. W. Ax- 
tel, Henry Bennett, Henry E. Brewster, Wm. H. Bailey, Peter Bostwick, 
Jerome P. Briggs, Geo. M. Brown, J. E. Bissell, Martin A. Bartleson, Olof 
Benson, Caleb S. Burdsal, Thomas Burton, C. A. Bridges, Ed. Baggot, 
John T. Connell, Horace M. Chapman, Chauncey R. Crandall, Fred E. 
Church, Nathan T. Cox, Judson R. Crary, Benjamin L. Cleaves, George E. 
Cooper, Geo. Childs, Samuel C. Durkee, John D. Dyer, F. S. Dean, Martin 
Dollard, J. Fred. Dunlap, W. S. Fonda, Orrington C. Foster, Wm. Fnrness, 
Daniel K. Kaniham. J. L. Flanigan, Samuel M. Fargo, Allen W. Gray, G. 
R. Green, Ferdinand V. Gindele, Wm. C. Greene, Otto C. Heimburger, J. 
L. Ilazlett, Edward S. Hills, Harvey Hart, Geo. T. Hebard, Jas. Hennessy, 
H. Hindi, Henry Hobart, Ed. D. Howland, John D. Holmes, Thos. Halpin, 




LIEUT. JOHN R. BOTSFORD. 



16 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

John 11. Irwin, J. E. Johnson, Lewis F. Jacobs, Thomas A. Kearnes, Theo- 
dore W. Kennedy, Geo. King, Harrison Kelley, Charles B. Kimbell, Win. 
Kirk, Cornelius Kendall, George Kennicott, Wm. H. Lepperr, Charles A. 
Lamb, N. A. Lull, Tim. W. Lynch, Wm. Lowe, Cass. F. Maurer, Augustin 
P. Maddock, John Marder, Geo. A. Mariner, J. L. Morrison, Lewis B. Mitch- 
ell, C. C. Nelson, Jerry D. Powell, Stephen N. Pease, Wm. M. Pratt, Thos. 
Powell, Aurelius V. Pitts, S. Parsons, John M. Peters, E. II. Russell, O. 
R. Richardson, E. Richardson, Harvey B. Risley, J. F. Stackhouse, Joseph 
Sproules, John Steele, John Sidiaffer, Frank B. Smith, O. F. Shead, W. 0. 
G. L. Stevenson, James Sergeant, Edward S. Sherrill, S. J. Sherwood, Jno. 
Tack, S. II. Tallmadge, Wm. B. Vernon, J. T. Tigers, George L. Whittier, 
D. R. Wilson, J. A. White, Willard I. Wilcox, F. C. Wilson, E. S. Warner, 
J. L. Whittaker, Wilber J. Wilcox, Frederick W. Young. 

The departure from home and the long dusty ride to Cairo, will not 
soon be forgotten. After passing Big Muddy bridge in safety, where many 
■of us expected we would be attacked by rebel sympathizers, we reached 
Cairo in the night of the 22d. One gun, under Lieut. C. M. Willard, with 
the Ellsworth Zouaves, w T as sent back to Big Muddy bridge and left there 
as a guard in charge of Sergeant Ed. Mendsen, for several days. The next 
morning the most of us beheld for the first time, the mighty and muddy 
Mississippi, and the blue Ohio, with the shores of two slave States on the 
opposite sides. Our reception by the citizens was not the most cordial, 
and it was plainly evident that they would have been better pleased if the 
occupying forces had come from the opposite direction. However, we were 
there first, and there to stay, as it afterward proved, for nearly five months. 
Many of our soldier boys, after the close of the war, remained or returned 
to various points throughout the South, where attractions of some nature 
allured them. But it is not on record that a single one of them ever located 
permanently in Cairo alive. The croaking frogs, double-barreled, long- 
billed musquitoes, the deep mud, and the smell of rank weeds and swamps 
around it, were sufficient to dispel any thoughts of locating there perma- 
nently. The many names applied by the boys to Cairo, would do to men- 
tion in the early part of the war, but would not bear repetition in a history 
like this. 

The battery was assigned the duty of bringing to all downward bound 
boats, which were required to be inspected for contraband goods, before 



/. 







HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 19 

going down the river. On the 24th of April the steamer "Baltic," in pass- 
ing Cairo, disregarded the blank shot summoning her to land, when a solid 
shot was fired across her bow which had the desired effect. These shots fired 
by "squad one," under command of Lieut. J. R. Botsford, were the first 
fired from a field piece in the war for the Union, and the first on the banks 
of the mighty river. Their echoes were heard its entire length, and their 
reverberations were carried down its currents, figuratively speaking, even to 
the city of New Orleans, bringing forth a challenge to our Battery to mortal 
combat, from the famous Washington Light Artillery of that city. The 
challenge was accepted, but not until the terrible battle of Shiloh did the 
trial take place, which was decided in our favor. 

The second act was the capture of the steamer "C E. Ilillman," from 
St. Louis, loaded to the guards with contraband goods of war. This was 
accomplished by Capt. James Smith in person, with one gun and a small 
detachment of infantry, on the steamer "Swallow !" 

The "Hillman" hugged the Missouri shore and tried to escape, but 
overtaken by Capt. Smith, she ran ashore, and the officers and a portion of 
the passengers took to the woods. She was brought over to Cairo and 
found to have on board about $300,000.00 worth of war material. Several 
rebel flags were taken from the remaining passengers on the boat. 

After about a week's stay at Cairo, during which time large reinforce- 
ments arrived, we were on the following Sunday ordered to take a position 
about two miles up stream on the Mississippi river bank. This position 
was christened "Camp Smith," in honor of our commander, and was occu- 
pied by the Battery nearly five months. The arduous guard and picket 
duty imposed upon the command, and the labor of clearing a dense forest of 
about ten acres for drill grounds, with almost incessant wet weather for two 
months, caused quite a number to succumb under the severe strain, and 
many were unwillingly discharged and sent home. Many of our young- 
men had their first experience in hard work here, as many a lame back and 
blistered hand, could testify. 

Arduous camp and picket duty, relieved only by the regular daily 
drills, was the order of each day during our stay at Camp Smith. Being 
in close communication with "God's Country," as the boys reverently spoke 
of home, we fared much better, with the addition to our supplies of the 
good things received almost daily from the loved ones at home, than after 



20 HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 

we proceeded farther south, and our extra supplies were cut off. 

Under the instructions of our efficient officers, the Battery soon became 
so thorough in drill and evolution, that when it appeared on parade at Cairo 
it was supposed by military men, unacquainted with the facts, to be a reg- 
lar battery, notably so by General McClellan, who thought it wonderful for 
volunteers to attain such proficiency in so short a time. 

The expectation and desire to be called to the east were great, after 
this inspection, and in fact we were under orders several days, but happily 
for us, positive orders never arrived. Early in July a section was ordered 
by Gen. Fremont to St. Louis, from whence the} 7 proceeded along the North 
Missouri road to St. Charles and Mexico, Mo. After several weeks of hard 
service, the section rejoined the Batter} 7 . 

A majority of the members in the three months service, who did not 
reinlist, formed an association with a number of prominent and patriotic 
friends of Chicago, for the purpose of supplying the Battery with many of 
the necessaries and even luxuries of which they were deprived by army 
rations, and looking after the sick and wounded of the Battery. Among 
the most active in this service were Capt. James Smith, E. P. Tobey, W. L. 
South worth and John L. Stockton. Many a sick and wounded member of the 
Battery had cause to remember them with great gratitude. Private citizens 
threw open their homes to receive the sick and wounded on their arrival in 
the city, until they could be sent to their homes. A notable instance of this 
kind was when Mr. S. B. Walker took four wounded members, after the 
battle of Shiloh, on their cots, into his parlor on Michigan Avenue, and 
kept them several days. The association passed a hearty vote of thanks to 
Mr. Walker and his family, which consisted of his wife and three patriotic 
daughters, for ministering to the care of their comrades in so hospitable a 
manner. The eldest daughter, Chastina B. Walker, afterward served as 
volunteer nurse for several months on a Mississippi Piver Hospital Steam- 
er, and any soldier from Chicago, especially those of Battery "A", was the 
•object of her special care. 

The Battery, for various reasons, did not muster into the United States 
three months service, but when the question of entering for the three years 
or during the war, came up, a large majority decided to do so, and 85 mem- 
bers were mustered in July L6, 1861, as Battery "A" First Regiment Illi- 
nois Light Artillery. The members mustered in received a ten days' fur- 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 23 

lough to visit their homes, while those not reinlisting held the camp until 
their return. 

While stationed at Cairo, the Battery was presented with a beautiful 
silk flag by Miss Katie Sturgis, of Chicago. This flag was carried by the 
battery through all its subsequent campaigns. It was destroyed by the great 
fire of October 10, 1871, in the rooms of the Chicago Historical Society, 
where it had been placed for safe keeping. 



CHAPTER II 



®N the 16th of July, 1861, at Cairo, Ills., eighty-seven members of Com- 
pany "A," Chicago Light Artillery, were mustered into the United States 
service by Colonel Pitcher, as Battery "A" First Illinois Light Artillery 
Volunteers. The Battery was stationed at "Camp Smith," about two miles 
above Cairo, on the east bank of the Mississippi, where they were comfort- 
ably established in good quarters, which they had been nearly three months 
in acquiring. The members re-enlisting were given a ten days' furlough to 
visit their homes and friends, and the members who did not re-inlist held 
the camp till their return. July 18, three additional members were mus- 
tered in, and on July 28th, seventy-two recruits were added, among them 
being several of the three months men. 

Enlistments to fill vacancies caused by discharges, promotions, and 
deaths, continued till the close of the war, the total number of enlistments, 
(exclusive of the consolidation ot Batteries "A" and U B" in 1861) 

were 212 

Those enlisting in the Battery for three months only 50 

Making total number of enlistments during the war 262 

The survivors known at this date (1899) are 115 

Leaving unknown, killed, dead, and missing 117 



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Geo. L. Whittier, Wallace Ames, W. L. Southworth, 

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34 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 



List of names ot members assigned from Battery "B," and serving in 
new or "Consolidated" Battery ''A," which existed from July 26, 1861, to 
July 10, 1865 : 

Hadlock, Samuel. 
Henry, John. 
Hathaway Valcourt E. 
Hess, George J. 
Heartt, Wm. L. 
Hall, Melville. 
Hesseiniuns, Fred E. 
Johnson, Godfred. 
Johnson, Peter M. 
Jackson, Wm. F. 
Kingsbury, John 
Lines, Henry F. 
Lynch, Michael. 
Lake, Louis F. 
Marion, Francis N. 
McBride, Ora. 
Morrison, Peter. 
Newton, Samuel D. 
Porter, James W . 
Peasle, Ira. 
Powell, John W. 
Palmer, Andrew J. 
Ross, Miron C. 
Reed, Horace. 
Rising, Henry C. 
Rudd, Henry. 

It is stated in the preface, that the Battery was like one large family 
To show that it was distinctively a family Battery, it will be seen by a 
o-lance at the rosters there were among its members three brothers each of 
the Kimbell and Wilcox boys, two brothers each of the Adams, Beach, 
Childs, Henry, Kennedy, Morgan, Page, Phillips and Rexfbrd boys, the 
Burdicks, father and son, besides several cousins. Many were boys and 
schoolmates together, and had always known or known of each other. Since 
the war the members have scattered into nearly every State of the Union, 
though quite a large proportion of them remain in Chicago and vicinity. 

The Battery remained in Camp Smith until the eai ly part of September, 
practicing daily in drilling, with frequent target shooting on the river, 
o-uard duties and parades, initiating the raw recruits, as the new members 
were called, into the arts and mysteries of war. One section of the Battery 
was stationed for a few weeks at Bird's Point, on the Missouri shore south 
of Cairo. Earth works were thrown up on the point where the Ohio and 



Ashbrook, Thomas 
Anderson, John S. 
Briggs, Wm. D. 
Beidelman, Alex. H. 
Beck, John. 
Brown, John A. 
Bradbury, Wm. H. 
Bower, Michael. 
Burns, George B. 
Chappie, Harmon T. 
Cobb, Henry B. 
Chalmers, John R. 
Coe, Schyler, P. 
Clark, Charles H. 
Crampton, Franklin. 
Crampton, Nelson. 
Cameron, Francis D. 
Dealman, Jacob. 
Dudley, Henry W. 
Dutch, James B. 
Ellis, Thomas. 
Echert, Charles H. 
Frazer, John W. 
Finney, Robert N. 
Graham, John. 
Garringer, Isaac. 



Roadhuizen, Dirk W. 
Sattler, John D. 
Simpson, Walter. 
Stranberg, John F. 
Siller, Charles G. 
Scupham, Wm. C. 
Sauter, Charles J. 
Stickney, Charles W. 
Speight, Henry. 
Smith, Robert C. 
Thomas, John E. 
Taylor, Wm. 
Terry, Edward 
Turner, W'illiam. 
Upton, Timothy, Jr. 
Watts, Isaac. 
Wentworth, Samuel F. 
Wilcox, Albert. 
Wilcox, Edward P. 

DETAILED FROM OTHER 
COMMANDS. 

Beecham, W. E. 
McNnight, Thomas. 






HIS TOR Y OF BA TTEK Y "A." 35 



Mississippi rivers meet, and named "Fort Defiance." Heavy guns were 
mounted in them, commanding both rivers. These guns were manned by 
hoys detailed from the Battery, for a week or ten days. On September 6 
Gen. Grant who had assumed command at Cairo two days before, succeed- 
ing Gen. 15. M. Prentiss, ordered a movement on Paducah, Kw, forty-five 
miles up the Ohio river at the mouth of the Tennessee. The Battery broke 
up camp with alacrity, and all were delighted with the certainty of break- 
ing the long season of inactivity which had began to grow monotonous. 
Two regiments of infantry and the Battery embarked on transports, and 
before midnight we started up the river, and daylight found us in front of 
Paducah. It seems the rebel general Jeff Thompson had started from Col- 
umbus, Ky., with a force of about 10.000 with the intention of occupying 
and fortifying Paducah. which could easily have been done, greatly to our 
disadvantage, but the prompt action of Gen. Grant saved the place to us. 
The troops were stationed to guard the main roads leading into the city 
and several wooden gun boats were left to guard the rivers. The Battery was 
vamped on the main street leading west from the city, where we remained 
till February 1862. Earth works were thrown up and after a few days we 
j.i'i to build comfortable quarters for ourselves and horses, after it 
became apparent that we were likely to remain for some length of time. 
The day we arrived at Paducah a portion of the battery with a part of the 
9th 111. Infantry, marched out about ten miles and burned a railroad bridge. 
The Battery took part in the various expeditions from Paducah under com- 
mand of Generals Lew "Wallace and C. F. Smith, among which was the 
feint on Columbus, Ky., simultaneous with Gen. Grant's attack on Belmont. 
In making the feint on Columbus, the expedition marched forty-five miles 
in twenty-four hours, which for green troops was a creditable record. 

On this march, we lost our six mule team by running off a bridge in 
the niffht. Thev were left behind at an old confederate's place and were all 
stolen except one balky old mare mule, which could not be induced to move. 
The only bloodshed on this expedition was when comrade Foster 
charged on a flock of turkeys in a plantation yard, and lopped off an old 
gobbler's head with his saber, and bore him off in triumph in spite of the 
protestations of the female owner. 

In returning, some of the infantry straggled badly, so Gen. Smith, who 
was a regular army officer, and as line and true a soldier as ever lived, 



36 HISTORY OF BATTERY 'vT 

determined to give ns a taste of marching in earnest, and took nearly the 
whole command and accomplished what was ever afterward famous in the 
history of Battery "A" as the "Calloway March,"' and the later recruits of 
the Batterv were often regaled with remarkable tales and adventures of this 
march, which they were unfortunate enough not to be connected with. 

Another notable expedition in which some sixty members participated, 
being mounted as cavalry, was the raid on Mayfield, Ivy., October 22, 
for the purpose of capturing a rebel recruiting officer and breaking up the 
station. We readied the city in the night and took possession at daylight, 
but the bird had flown, having had an intimation of our approach. We 
secured some books and papers, a rebel flag and some old small arms which 
were left behind. We started back for Paducah after noon and arrived lie- 
fore midnight, tired and sore from our unaccustomed saddle exercise. 

It was fortunate for us that we left Mayfield as we did, as in less than 
two hours, a train from Columbus brought in a rebel force of several hun- 
dred, which would probably have captured us, or wiped ns out if we had 
stood them a fight. 

On Saturday, October 5, 1861, the first death occurred in our company. 
David W. Sawtell, a genial and universally liked member, died suddenly in 
the Paducah Hospital of congestion of the brain. The boys raised a fund 
of $70.00 and procured a metallic coffin, in which the body was enclosed 
and forwarded to his friends at home. 

On the 1st of November, we received all of our new harnesses and two 
new howitzers, and were now a full six gun Battery. 

On the 20th of November the second death in the company occurred. 
Charles G. Sherwin, one of the youngest members, died in hospital of 
typhoid fever and homesickness. His body was also sent home by the boys, 
in a metal iic casket. 

Paducah was a very pretty and old city, and contained many aristo- 
cratic, and at one time, wealthy families. The male portion of the popula- 
tion was largely rebels, and, of course, the sympathies of the female portion 
were naturally on the same side. The Battery boys had been deprived of 
ladies' society to a great extent during our five months stay at "Camp Smith," 
and many of them used their best endeavors to "do the agreeable," and make 
the acquaintance of some of the ladies. Their musical talent was utilized 
to u great degree, and serenading 'parties were out nearly every evening, 



HISTOR \ ' OF BA TTER \ ' l A. " *7 

doing their best to win favor. At first they were either ignored or received 
verv coldly ; but, after a while, met with better success, and when Foster, 
Sam Kennedy, Charley Smith, Johnny Peters, and the Rexfords, returned 
one evening from a serenade at the residence of old Col. Wolfolk, and an- 
nounced that the ladies had invited them to partake of cake and wine dar- 
ing the serenade, they were looked upon as heroes who had scored a great 
victory, as all former efforts to secure recognition in that family had been 
unsuccessful. This family had previously had some experience with the 
" Yankees." in which the latter came out ahead, and made the family the 
special mark for the soldiers' attention. It was generally known that a 
rebel flag had been Hying from a flagstaff on the house up to the very day 
our troops ti.dk j>o>session of the city. On the 25th of November some of 
the 11th Indiana Infantry, Gen. Lew Wallace's regiment, thought the place 
looked lonesome without a flag, and proposed to put one up. Their offer 
was refused, so they determined to put one up without consent. Gen. C. 
F. Smith, who was in command of the post, heard of the contemplated ac- 
tion, and forbid its being done. Fifty of the Battery boys thought this 
order did not cover the ground outside of the house ; so they secured a pole 
and flag, and went one evening intending to set the pole in front of the 
house and raise the flag. On their arrival they found a flag had been raised 
and was -floating proudly to the breeze ;" so, futher action was unnecessary. 

A number of the boys, who were printers, utilized an abandoned rebel 
printing establishment and issued several numbers of a Battery paper, 
called the -Picket Guard/' They got up a very creditable sheet, and it 
furnished quite a little amusement and diversion for camp life. A few 
copies of the paper have been preserved and are still in existence, and they 
are verv interesting relics of the war. 

The boys rececived their first regulation uniforms at Paducah Dec. 22, 
lSi'.L. Early in February L862, our work began again in earnest, We were 
taken up the Tennessee river by steamer and landed below Fort Heiman, 
which place with Fort Henry on the opposite side of the river was captured 
by our gunboats on February 6. Most of the garrison escaped across the 
country to Fort Donelson, so this was a bloodless victory for us. 

When we took possession of the rebel camp which had just been evacu- 
ated about two hours before, we found several of their camp tire- burning 
and hot corn bread and pea coffee cooking on some of them. Their tents 



38 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

had not been disturbed, and as the boys Were tired and hungry, the find was 
a great treat, and very acceptable and refreshing to them. Feb. 11, 1862, 
2nd Lieut. P. P. Wood assumed command of the Battery, and remained in 
command almost continuously until its muster out July 16, L864, Capt. 
Smith having previously resigned on account of illness. 

We occupied the camp at Fort Heiman until the 13th, when we received 
orders at midnight to march to Fort Donelson. At one o'clock on the 
morning of the 14th we left Fort Heiman, and did not get across the river 
till after daylight, having to wade in water over knee deeo to reach the 
steamer. After landing we started across the country, escorted by a single 
company of infantry, Co. "A" 32nd Illinois. We reached the left wing of 
our army on the outskirts of Fort Donelson after dark of the same day. in 
a heavy snow storm, which turned into a rainy sleet during the night. 
The weather was bitterly cold, and we had orders to build no tires. As we 
were wet, tired and hungry, most of us managed to get our feet near some 
live coals on our side of some large trees that were down, and after a bite 
of hard tack and bacon, rolled up in our ponchos under "shebangs" made of 
evergreen houghs, and had a sound and refreshing sleep. On the next 
morning, the 15th, we were ordered at daylight to start for the right in a 
hurry, where heavy firing had begun. The right section arrived in time to 
have a lively brush with the enemy, and prevented them from turning the 
right flank of our line. This was our first experience under fire. The 
wounded were being carried by us to the rear on stretchers, the sight of 
which was somewhat trying to our nerves, but not a man flinched. The sec- 
tion fired fifty-five rounds of cannister and shrapnel, most of the time using 
double charges. We were not in the engagement over thirty minutes, but 
succeeded in repelling the last decisive charges of the enemy as they came 
pouring out of the fort, trying t > cut their way through and escape. < >ur 
only casualty was one man wounded. Moses Hawks, being hit on the arm 
with a spent ball. The fort surrendered the next day, Sunday the 16th. with 
about 21,000 prisoners, under Gen. Simon B. Buckner. This surrender 
was made under the memorable demand of General Grant to General 
Buckner stating that "No terms except an unconditional and immediate 
surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your 
works." White flags were flying all along the rebels' fortifications, and our 
troops were inside the fort and mixing up and conversing with their cap- 



HIS TOR ) " OF BA TTER Y "A." V 

tives, in a very short time. Permission was given the rebels to go outside 
and gather up and bury their dead, which was done. Many of our boys 
secured trophies of all kinds, which were carried until the first favorable 
opportunity of sending home. 

On Monday, the 17th we inarched hack to Ft. Heiman, where"we again 
went into camp, and remained until March 6. 

On the 3rd of March we received a vote of thanks, passed February 
17th by the Chicago Board of Trade, for the part we bore in the actions of 
Belmont and Donelson, which was as follows : 

Board of Trade Room-. 
Chicago, III., February 17, 1862. 

At a meeting of the Board, hold on change this day, at L2 m., the fol- 
lowing resolutions were unanimously adoped : 

Resolved, That this Board has heard with pride and heartfelt thanks 
the glorious news of the success of our troops in the capture of the rebel 
stronghold, Fort Donelson ; That we tender the thank.- of this Board, also 
of all loyal citizens of our city, to the commanding officers and their com- 
rades for their triumphant effort to plant the stars and stripes over the 
same; and that we do particularly thank our gallant Batteries, Companies 
"A'* and 'B." Chicago's Light Arlilery, for their daring and successful 
courage displayed on the fields of Belmont, Frederickstown and Fort Don- 
elson. 

Resolved, That the President of this Board be requested to forward 
these resolutions to the commanding officers of the expedition and a copy 
to Lieut. P. P. Wood and Capt. Ezra Taylor, commanding Chicago Light 
Artillery Companies, k 'A" and -'B." 

Seth Catlin, Sec' v. Stephen Clary, Pres. 

It is generally conceded that for some unknown reason. Lattery "A" 
never received its proper official credit for the part it bore in the Ft. Don- 
elson fight, but its valuable service was known and appreciate by all the 
neighboring commands. Gen. Livingston, in speaking about the history 
of the great battles of the rebellion, in the Plattsmontli, (Neb.) Journal of 
February f7, 1885, says : 

••Lieut. Wood, who commanded a section of Battery "A," Chicago, 
Illinois, Light Artillery at the Donelson fight, never received the meed of 
praise he deserved. At the right time he threw his guns into action, when 
Buckner had massed his troops and was charging the right of our line, and 
his guns were shotted to the muzzle, and great winrows of the enemy fell 
at every discharge of his accurately aimed guns. And it was the work of 



40 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

that Battery and the terrible volleys sent into the ranks of the advancing 
foe by the first Nebraska that drove back the enemy, and the next morning 
Buckner surrendered. Wood was the hero of that hour, but he never was 
properly remembered for his heroism." 

On the (3th of March, we broke up camp, and, bidding good bye to Ft. 
Heiman, where we had spent two very comfortable weeks, we started on the 
grand advance up the Tennessee. 

We disembarked at Crump's Landing, and took part in an expedition 
with the cavalry in an attempt to destroy the south-western railroad con- 
nections with Corinth. 

March 27th we moved to Pittsburg Landing, and were transferred 
from Gen. Lew Wallace's Division to Gen. C. F. Smith's Division, 2nd 
Brigade, Gen. McArthur. We were sorry to part with our old comrades of 
the 8th Missouri, and 11th Indiana, but were put in the same brigade with 
the 9th and 12th Illinois, which quite reconciled us to the change. 

We encamped nearly a mile straight west from the landing, where we 
were on the morning of the memorable April 6th. 

Sunday morning, April 6, 1862, dawned upon us clear, warm and 
bright. The trees were putting forth their leaves, peach trees and other 
early fruits, were in full bloom, and all nature seemed to rejoice in putting 
on spring attire, utterly oblivious to the fact that this was to be the blood- 
iest day in the history of our nation. Our camp was up and astir at the 
usual early hour. The postillions had taken the horses to drink in a creek 
near by, and were letting them nibble at the new grass on their way back 
to camp. The sound of skirmish firing suddenly was heard and in short 
order the crack of musketry and the booming of artillery followed. We 
knew this meant business, and our horses were soon harnessed, the ammu- 
nition chests filled, and knapsacks packed ready to move. After taking our 
positions, numbers of wounded began passing our camp, reporting their 
regiments "all cut to pieces." We ridiculed them and shamed some of 
them to turning back to the front. We soon had orders to move to the 
front, and we went into position with the 9th and 12th Illinois on our left. 
A few shells burst around us as we neared the line, causing us to involun- 
tarily start a little, and then to laugh at each other for it. We were put in 
position as a reserve, and began to receive a severe shelling which we could 
not return. Two horses were killed under their riders, and brave, hand- 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 41 



some Sergeant Jerry Powell had his right arm taken off by a shell and was 
injured severely in the ribs. He was taken to the hospital where lie died 
within half an hour. 

After remaining in reserve about a half an hour, Gen. IIu rl bur t gave 
us orders to support him, and about !» o'clock a. m. we were placed in a 
new position on the left, still in range of the enemy's shells, which burst 
around us without effect. Shot fell thick and fast around us here; Int. 
being inactive, we availed ourselves of what protection we could get behind 
the trees. We were soon moved forward into position, and opened fire on 
the rebel battery that had been firing at us, and, after about fifteen minutes 
of lively firing with solid shot and shell, we silenced it completely, compell- 
ing it to withdraw to another position. Seeing troops crossing a field near 
by, we gave them a few shots, and a short time after, engaged another bat- 
tery. After a brisk fight we managed to pile up this battery, when we 
immediately opened on another, in a different position. It took us some 
time to quiet this new position, but it was finally done, and we moved to 
our original position, to engage the enemy's infantry, they having advanced 
and taken position on the ridge, next to the one we were on. Here we 
fought for more than an hour, when they got their battery up to drive us 
out; but they did us no damage, their range being too long to be effective 
This Battery, we afterward learned, was the famous Washington Artillery 
of JS T ew Orleans mentioned in the early part of this history. 

At the same time, a part of our Battery was having a duel with them, 
and the balance were keeping back their infantry. Our boys did most ex- 
cellent shooting, hitting the mark almost every time, and exploding our 
shells in their very midst. This was about 2 v. m. We were getting 
short of ammunition. The infantry supporting us had been lying in the 
hollow, now charged forward with a yell. They delivered one volley which 
was returned with terrible effect, causing them to tall back. This gave the 
rebels courage, and they made a charge for our guns. Things looked rather 
dubious, but we continued firing as long as prudence allowed, and then 
limbered up and fell back to a new line which had been formed. Here, 
after a short fight, we were obliged a second time to fall back. In this 
•stand we suffered severely. Poor Ed. Russell was shot through with a six 
pound ball and lived but a short time. He was carried to the rear and his 
last words were, "tell them I died like a man at my post." 



42 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

Brave Christian man, Daniel R. Farnham was shot through above the 
heart and killed; James L. Flanigan, a merry hearted Irishman, and the 
intimate friend of Ed. Russell, was shot through the mouth, and went with 
his chum to the better world. 

Our last stand was made about three hundred yards in the rear of the 
one just occupied. Here we opened as fierce a fire as we could sand, but 
could not succeed in checking the charge of the enemy. Our right was so 
turned that their firing was directly in our rear, and we took shot from 
both front and flank. Lieut. Wood had urged Gen. Hurlburt to relieve us 
with another Battery, while we replenished oar empty ammunition boxes, 
but it was too late. We were fighting the rebels' whole line of battle on 
the left, and taking their entire fire. This part of the battle ground was 
afterward designated as the "Hornet's Nest," by which it is still known. 

It was now evident that the tide of battle was going against us, al- 
though up to this time our Battery had not been driven to the rear one 
inch. Our infantry support was all broken up into squads and were fight- 
ing desperately, while we were firing solid shots and a few shells, having 
exhausted our cannister. But with a solid line opposed to us, we could 
not, in the nature of things, resist much longer, and a little after 4 o'clock 
the enemy had succeeded in turning our left, and on they came from front 
and left flank, in solid line to scoop us in. Then Lieut. Wood's voice rang 
out clear and strong, "Limber to the rear," "Get your guns out of this." 
Then there was a scramble, No. 1, 3, 4 and 6 guns fell back at once. Not 
so with 2 and 5. Squad 5 had but three cannoniers and gunner Sherrill left r 
Dolan and Stiger and Crocker having gone with Flanigan to an ambulance 
Four of their horses, including Bailey ? s Gray Eagle, were badly wounded. 
The three cannoniers were unable to run up the gun and hook it on A. 
C. Hall, alias "Garibaldi," jumped off his horse, and putting his shoulder to 
the wheel, helped to run it up, the others holding up and pulling on the 
trail. Just at this time Charley Kimbell came hopping on one leg from 
squad 2 gun, having been badly wounded in the other, and he was caught 
and tossed on the foot-board of the limber. "Game" remounted his horse, 
and just as the gun was started, he was hit in the head with a shot and 
knocked off. 

Little Bailey, the lead driver, was also dismounted, shot through the 
hip. Jack Redmond, the swing driver, prudently dismounted and grabbed 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 43 



the near lead horse by the bit, Foster, the near swing horse, and Colby, the 
near wheeler, and away we started on a run, the rebels less than a hundred 
yards from us, making a desperate effort to capture at least the two guns 
that were delayed in getting away. Poor ''Garrie" and Bailey were left 
behind to the tender mercies of the rebels, as we supposed, but Garrie re- 
erered his senses just as they were about to gather him in, and picking 
himself up, skipped away and escaped to the landing. At the same time 
Stiger and Dolan came through the woods hunting for the Battery, and 
found Bailey sitt ing against a tree, and each catching him by the arm. es- 
caped safely with him to the Landing, thus saving all our wounded from 
being captured. 

At the time the order was given, " Limber to the rear," squad two was 
in worse shape than squad five. The off wheel horse was the only one re- 
maining. The squad, having disengaged all but him, attempted to haul off 
the gun, which they could easily have done with his help, but he obstinately 
refused to move. Matters were growing desperate. The rebels were so 
close their brass buttons could plainly be seen. Minnie balls were rattling 
like hail, five of the seven men at the gun were hit within live minutes. 
Lieut. Wood ordered several men from the other gnns to come back and 
help them, which they did promptly. 

Just as they reached the gun a minuie ball struck the horse squarely 
in the root of the tail, and it effectually performed an instantaneous cure 
for balking. 

With Commissary Chase acting as nigh wheel horse, the gun with its 
wounded, was rushed back about a quarter of a mile, where the other nuns 
were in battery on a small hill ready to cover our retreat, which they did in 
good shape, and thus was averted what at one time seemed to be inevitable, 
the losing of a gun-squad and gnu. 

The rebels were just as determined to have squad two's gun as we were 
to save it, and did not cease their shower after shower of balls upon us until 
we were safely back to the next line of support. Three of our dead were 
left upon the field, as we did not have enough sound men to take care ot 
both dead and wounded, so, of course, the living were cared for in prefer- 
ence. One of our empty caissons from which four out of six horses had 
been shot, became stuck in crossing a little brook, and was abandoned. It 
was afterwards recovered. 



44 HIS TOR Y OF BA ITER Y "A." 



At about five o'clock we fell back to the landing, and going down to 
the lower landing, we refilled our ammunition chests with shell and grape. 
Then we went forward to the small hill we had left and went into battery 
to the left of and in line with the 32-ponnders that Gen. Webster had 
planted during the day. 

Here, together with several other batteries, and about 15,000 infantry, 
who had been fighting all day, and were still full of fight, we had a line of 
battle over half a mile long, connecting with the Tennessee River on the 
south, to a bayou on the north, as solid as a rock, and we will maintain till 
the crack of doom, that the enemy could not have broken it, if Buell had 
been hundreds of miles away. 

In the meantime, our boats had been rushing a part of BuelPs force 
across the river, so that when the attack was made, our side had about five 
thousand new troops in line. During the day, also, some heavy siege guns 
were landed and placed in position. We were in position to see the boat 
loads of his troops ferried across, and cheer after cheer went up as they 
landed and filed out on our left. 

It was about 5:30 o'clock when the enemy made their last attack on 
our lines, which was easily repulsed with the aid of two wooden gunboats, 
which were anchored abreast of a ravine, which was between us and the 
rebels. 

Our line of artillery was about a mile of front, and, in this cordon, we 
could not find room to operate, so we had to stand, take our chance of being 
shot, and do nothing. This was harder than fighting, but the boys took it 
all quietly, patiently waiting the result. We had not long to wait, for the 
skirmishers opened, then a gun, another and another, — the rebels an- 
swering about as lively as ourselves. Then came the rebel charge. Our 
mile of front was a living sheet of fire, more than a hundred guns were 
belching forth. The crash of musketry rolled from one end of the line to 
the other. The rebels faltered, fell by the hundred, gave back a little ; our 
newly arrived troops made a dash, turned the fall back into a retreat, and 
night drew her sable mantle over the weary and thankful host. 

During the last charge, Gen. Grant and his staff were sitting on their 
horses a little to our left and rear. A Captain on his staff, Kit Carson, was 
killed within ten feet of the General, being shot in the head, which was 
completely mashed. The General moved his position a little and sat chew- 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 45 

[ng Ills cigar as imperturbably as though on dress parade. Some critics 
have written that the General was not under fire on this dav. We of the 
Battery know better. 

Thus ended the first day's tight. The Battery was engaged over eight 
hours, tiring 83S rounds with a loss of tour men killed outright, twenty-six 
wounded, several mortally, and forty-eight horses killed and disabled, with- 
out the loss of a gun. or man taken prisoner. 

On account of the death of (Ten. W. II. L. Wallace in the first day's 
light, we had no reported position that dav. and an Iowa Battery received 
the credit that belonged to us in the fight at the "Hornet's Nest" in the offi- 
cial account. Geo. M. Brown, of squad one. tired the shot from a 12-pound 
howitzer that killed Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson about 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon, at the ''Hornet's Nest." The heads ot Gen. Johnson's mounted 
escort could be seen plainly and drew our tire. A rapid commotion among 
the troops after the third shot showed that it had been effective, and it was 
learned afterward that (Ten. Johnson was killed at that time and place. 

Shortly after dark it commenced raining, and rained almost all nio-ht. 
We had found shelter for our wounded, and they were as comfortable as 
men could be under the circumstance.-, but the poor lighting men had to 
take it as it came. We slept on our arms that night, the sleep of the tired, 
if not of the just. Although it rained hard nearly all night, we cared little 
for it. All through the night once in about ten minutes flashes lighted up 
the sky, followed by the boom of the heavy guns of the gun boats. A 
dreary night dragged by slowly. 

The next morning at 8 o'clock. Maj. Taylor ordered us to the front, 
across a deep ravine, and into an open field. We went into battery with 
four guns, two being left in camp on account of loss of men and horses to 
handle them. 

We were ordered to shell the heavy timber, across a ravine in which 
our infantry lay, about 800 yards away. We tired for half an hour and 
ceased. Our infantry then charged out of the ravine and gained a ij-ood 
foot-hold in the timber. Lieut. Wood was laying on the ground so sick he 
could hardly hold up his head, but when we were ordered forward into line 
with the infantry, he sprang into his saddle, and we rushed forward on a 
gallop with three guns to the assistance of the infantry, who were strug- 
gling to hold the advantage they had already gained. 



46 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

Here, for the first time, we came under command of Gen. W. T. Sher- 
man, and we make the following quotation from his "Memoirs," p. 239, vol. 
I.: '"Taylor had just got to me from the rear, where he had gone for ammu- 
nition and brought up the three guns, which 1 ordered into position to 
advance by hand-firing. These guns belonged to Company "A," Chicago 
Light Artillery, commanded by Lieut. P. P. Wood, and did most excellent 
service. Under cover of their fire we advanced till we reached the point 
where the Corinth Road crosses the line of McClernand's Camp.*" 

Hard righting continued at intervals through the day, the rebels mak- 
ing a most stubborn resistance and losing heavily till about 3 o'clock i\ m. 
We had driven them out of our farthest encampment, occupied by Sherman 
on Sunday morning. We went into battery about fifty yards to the right 
of Shiloh Church, and gave the flying rebels a few parting shots. This 
ended our part of the great fight. We did not lose a man or a horse on this 
day, and found from our feelings there was a vast difference between whip- 
ping and being whipped. 

General Sherman rode up to Lieut. Wood and publicly praised him 
and thanked the Battery for the service it had rendered. 

There has been some controversy as to the time when Gen. Prentiss 
was captured. We of old Battery "A" have good reasons for knowing that 
it was not before 5 o'clock on Sunday p. m. 

Capt. Wood's official report of the battle of Shiloh is as follows : 

Headquarters Company "A," C. L. A., 
Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, April 0, 1862. 
Thomas J. .Newsham, 

Assistant Adjutant Genera/ : 
Sir : — I have the honor of reporting to you the part taken in the ac- 
tions of the 6th and 7th inst, by Company "A," Chicago Light Artillery. 
After the commencement of the firing on the 6th, as ordered, I reported 
with command to Maj. Cavender, and was shortly afterward ordered into a 
position to support the Division of Gen. Hurlbnrt on the left. We opened 
fire about 9 a. m., and was successful in silencing the enemy's batteries 
twice, with two changes of position, when we immediately moved, taking 
position on a ridge near the extreme left, and opened on the enemy's in- 
fantry, posted on a ridge opposite, about 500 yards distant. This position 
we held for over an hour, fighting both infantry and artillery, when our 
support was retired, and we were forced to follow to avoid being flanked 
and cut oft'. Taking position again 300 yards in the rear, we were again, 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 47 



after a short fight, forced hack, our support this time leaving in disorder. 
A new line being formed, we went into battery, opened, were entirely aban- 
doned by our new support, and were obliged, reluctantly, to fall hack on the 
reserve, taking one of our guns off with but one horse and the cannoniers. 
An empty caisson was left for want of horses to draw ir off, and afterwards 
■ 1 co\ ered. 

Retiring inside the reserve, I inarched the Battery to the Steamer 
"Rocket" for a supply of ammunition, filled the boxes, returned to the line 
and reported for duty, before the last desperate attack on our position 
was made, but was not again ordered into service on that day. 

We were engaged during the day seven successive hours, tiring S3S 
rounds of ammunition, with a loss of four men killed and twenty-six wound- 
ed, and a loss of killed and disabled horses of forty-eight. 

On the morning of the 7th, as ordered. I reported to Gen. Sherman, 
with three pieces, all I had men to serve ; was given a position on his left; 
engaged a battery, silenced it ; shelled the enemy's line of battle until they 
gave way; advanced with our troops, opening during the advance four times 
and remained in the engagement until the enemy broke and tied: tired dur- 
ing the day 334 round of ammunition. On this day we met with no loss. 

To you, sir, and all who know the men, few words of mine are neees- 
sary in praise of the coolness and gallantry of Lieuts. J. W. Rumsev, Geo. 
McCagg and F. W. Young, Staff Sergeants Briggs and Poole, and even- 
non-commissioned officer and man in the command. In war, he is blessed 
who has such men to command. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) P. P. Wood, First Lieut. 

Commanding Company "A," Chicago Light Artillery. 

I annex hereto a list of casualties and losses. Killed , Sergeant J. D. 
Powell, Corporal E. II. Russell; Privates, D. R. Farnham, John L. Flanigan. 
Dangerously wounded, Privates Jas. O. Paddock. E. E. Williams. Seri- 
ously wounded, Corporal Charles B. Kimbell; Privates, C. C. Nelson, W. G. 
Brown. John Schaffer, A.J. Bailey. O. C. Ileimberger, T. W. Lynch, W. C. 
Green. Slightly wounded, Lieut. Geo. McCagg, Corporals, C. R. Cranddl, 
Thomas Burton, F. B. Smith. W. J. Wilcox; Privates. A. Y. Pitts, L. F. 
Jacobs, J. E. Crocker, S. C. Dnrkee, W. I. Wilcox, M. Dooling, John Earl, 
M11* Hawks, II. II. Pond, G. L. Whittier, A. C. Hall. 

On the 9th we were relieved from duty and allowed to return to Camp. 
The rebels had retreated in disorder, destroying everything which could im- 
pede our progress ; the road for miles, toward Corinth, was strewn with 



48 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

the ruins of artillery, tents, stores and everything pertaining to an army. 
The only things left were the wounded, and they numbered by the thous- 
and. Their loss was immense and ours not small; five thousand men will not 
cover our losses, ami theirs must have been a half more. For numbers engaged, 
fierceness and losses, it will exceed any fight on this side of the Atlantic. 

On the afternoon of the 7th, a portion of our wounded were placed up- 
on a hospital steamer and taken down the river to Mound Cit\ T , Illinois, and 
placed in hospital there. They remained here nearly two weeks, when the 
high water of the Ohio river filled the lower story of the hospital and forced 
its abandonment. M. M, Kimbell came from Chicago with the wife of 
Win. G. Brown, and they assisted and cared for the hoys of the Battery, 
which, in addition to the regular hospital nurses, made them much more 
comfortable than those who had only the ordinary care. The wounded of 
the Battery here, were fm. G. Brown, C. C. Nelson, C. B. Kimbell, Wm. 
C. Green, O. C. Heimberger and A. J. Bailey. These were placed on cots 
and taken out of the second story windows of the hospital and placed on a 
flat boat, which was poled to the high land at Villa Ridge which was as far 
as the cars could run. Mr. Kimbell engaged a special car of the I. C. R. R. 
and the boys were shoved through the end windows, on their cots, and placed 
on top of the backs of the seats, and thus taken to Chicago, where their 
friends met them and conveyed them to their different homes. 

Heimberger and Bailey died soon after, and the only survivors at this 
date are 0. B. Kimbell and C. C. Nelson. While in the hospital at Mound 
City the surgeons decided to amputate Kimbell's leg, but his vigorous pro- 
test delayed the attempt at the operation until the arrival of his father, 
whom he had telegraphed at Paducah. His timely arrival, and decided 
protest, carried the day, and the surgeons reluctantly decided to postpone 
the operation, and the final result was his recovery with a fairly sound leg. 

On the L5th of April, we received a stand of colors from "friends at 
home," accompanied by this letter : 

Chicago, April 7th, 1862. 
To the Members of Company "A," Chicago Light Artillery: 

Gallant Men and Brave Soldiers: — When you left us, your friends 
and fellow citizens, on that solemn Sunday night one year ago, we felt sure 
that when, in the vicissitudes of war your hour of trial came, you would 
not flinch or be found wanting, and we have not been disappointed. You 
have done your whole duty on the field of battle, and no greater praise 



t 862) HISTORY OF BATTERY '•,/." 49 



than this can be said of any soldiers. We are proud of you all, and your 
whole city is proud of you, and the State and Nation are proud of you. 
Your fame has tilled the land, and you have deserved it all. 

Receive this Flag and Banner, then, brave men, as slight tokens ol 
the gratitude, the admiration and the unwavering confidence of your Chi- 
cago friends. On the glorious blue of the banner we have inscribed the 
words. "Fort Donelson," because there you covered yourselves with glory, 
and, by driving back by deeds of valor, an enemy flushed with the certainty 
of victory, you won in that memorable conflict the applause and the appro- 
bation of a grateful Nation. And with the Flag and Banner receive also 
the assurance of our firm belief that you will never dishonor them; as well 
as our sincere prayer that the God of Battles will protect you and give tri- 
umph to the right. 

Your Friends at Home. 

| Reply. ] 

Pittshurg, Tennessee, April L6, 1862. 
To Our Fkiknds at Home : 

Words of cheer, ever welcome to the absent soldier, have this week 
been showered upon us by those at home, who. one year ago — on our de- 
parture to take part in our country's struggle — bade us as heartily, "God 
bless and care for you." We are to-day proud that we were among the first 
to leave home; proud that by our efforts we have won your praise and con- 
fidence, and proud in the knowledge that, after peace shall have blessed our 
now distracted and unhappy country, we may say, "We helped to gain it." 

Gentlemen — With many thanks, we receive the Flags, assuring you 
that never by deed of ours shall they be disgraced, but triumphantly borne 
aloft unto the end. 

May we ever be deserving of your respect and admiration, by unwav- 
ering and aealous endeavors to do our whole duty. And in the coming 
stniijide may God defend the right. 

Company "A" Chicago Light Artillery. 

When the forward movement to Corinth commenced, we were placed 
back in General Lew Wallace's division, which was held in reserve on Pea 
Ridge till after the evacuation of Corinth. Here Mort. Pratt was taken 
prisoner while foraging with Willard (old man) Wilcox, who came into- 
camp with three buckshot under his skin. 

Pratt was held as prisoner several months, lie, with two others, made 
their escape once and were at liberty two or three days endeavoring to make 
their way to Memphis to rejoin their commands. They traveled by night, 
being fed and directed in their course by friendly negr >es, and remained in 



50 HISTORY OF BATTERY 'vf' (1862) 

hiding during the day. They were pursued and tracked by blood hounds, 
and recaptured, and taken back to the rebel prison from which they escaped, 
where they received mere inhuman treatment than the other prisoners, on 
account of their efforts to escape, He was finally sent with a large num- 
ber of others on a steamer up the Mississippi river to Cairo for exchange. 
In passing Memphis the boat made a short stop and anchored out near the 
middle or the river, to prevent any of the boys from coming ashore. Coal 
barges were sent out from the wharf with coal for the steamer. 

Among the spectators in the large crowd of soldiers on the wharf, 
were a number of the Battery boys. Mort. was so overjoyed to see them, 
that, regardless of the consequences, he jumped overboard, swam under the 
steamer and a barge and came out on the opposite or shore side, and was 
taken by the boys to the Battery earn}) unmolested. His condition was 
pitiable in the extreme, but his peculiar grin of happiness at being once 
more a i'vee man, made it comical. His clothing, what little he had, w T as a 
complete mass of shreds, and being wet from his plunge and swim, clung 
to his bodv as though glued there. He was granted a furlough home, 
and shortly after his return, was appointed Captain of a colored Battery, 
and served with it till the close of the war. 

After remaining in camp a few weeks at Pea Ridge, the march toward 
Memphis was begun. Our route was by easy stages via Purdy, Somerville 
and Bolivar, Tennessee, where we remained two or three days, thence on to 
Union Station, near Memphis. Gen. Lew Wallace went on to Memphis, 
which had surrendered a few days before. He found the rebel civil officers 
of the city were ruling the place to suit themselves, and, without waiting- 
tor any red tape orders, marched us into the city on the 17th of June, ar- 
riving at midnight during one of the hardest rain storms we ever experi- 
enced. The rebel police seemed to take special delight in persecuting any 
of the darkies connected with the Union Army. Two of our officers' serv- 
ants were arrested without cause the first day of our entry to the city. The 
next morning Lieutenants Wood and Rumsey, with nearly half of the boys 
of the Battery, went to the Police Court and compelled the Judge to re- 
Lease them, and informed him that a repetition of such doings would neces- 
sitate the tearing down of Ins "temple of justice," and the police would be 
arrested and Hogged. It is needless to say the colored servants were not 
molested again. 



(1862) HISTORY OF BATTERY - l A." 5l 

During our inarch to Memphis, Alex. Anderson, one of our old 
members, and the life of the Battery, was taken alarmingly sick, and im- 
mediately on our arrival at Memphis, was placed in the Gayoso Hospital, 
which was in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. He became violently insane, 
and. breaking away from the attendants, jumped from the fourth story win- 
dow, landing on the hard pavement below. He was so severelv injured that 
lie lived but a short time. 

It was on this march that Jo Sproule uttered a remark which made 
him famous, being so original and full of Irish wit. The night was as dark 
as could he made. A number of the boys sat down in front of an old cot- 
ton shed in which all die others had stretched themselves out to have a 
smoke by a smoking, smoldering fire. It was so dark the boys could not 
see their hands before them. Jo was sucking away at his pipe, trying to 
light it. After taking several strong puffs, he broke out with, "Be Jasus, 
it is poor satisfaction smoking whin you can't see your own bhlast." The 
roar that followed made the boys forget their discomforts for awhile, and 
Jo's expression became a by-word in the Battery. 

We passed a very comfortable summer in camp at Memphis. We had 
frequent company drills and occasionally a march through the streets of the 
city, which we thought was done to make an impression on the minds of 
the natives. The Battery received recruits until we had the maximum 
number. Early in September C. 15. Kimbell returned to the Battery, bring 
iug nine recruits with him, his brothers, Julius W. and Spencer S., among 
them. Occasional expeditions into the country served to relieve the mo- 
notony of cam]) life, the principal ones being the Hernando or cold water 
march, and the Tallahatchie march. 

While stationed at Memphis, three of the members, Charley Arnold, 
Wm. Kirk and Harry Hobart, had an experience which made a lasting im- 
pression on their memories, and served as a guide to their future course 
through life. They were not particularly proud of the part they took, but 
as Charley Arnold explains in extenuation of his part, he was young, and. 
with both the others, was innocent of any wrong doing. But there was 
<}iiite an element of spice and adventure about it that made it rather inter- 
esting, and as the survivors have been called upon many times to narrate it, 
they will not object to having it permanently and correctly recorded. It 
began on one of the expeditions out from Memphis, and is best told in 



52 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1862) 



Charley Arnold's own words: "While on the Hernando march, one of the 
horses in our squad had terribly galled shoulders and was to me an object 
of extreme solicitude. At one of our stops on the road, Bill Kirk, Harry 
llobart and myself took kettles and went in search of water. We came 
across some horses hitched to trees, that we concluded at once were rebel 
horses and legitimate prey. I had suggested that one of them might make 
a good substitute for that poor, galled horse; whereupon we decided to 
take one for that purpose, with the understanding that we should take turns 
riding the galled hor c e. This worked all right till we got back to Memphis, 
and we were happy. A week or so after we had got into camp at Memphis 
again'. Kirk and Hobart had been down town on passes, and, coming back, 
informed me that they could sell our horse to a friend of theirs, a former 
Chicago an, who was in the wagon making business in Memphis. I agreed, 
and the following day they took the horse down town and came hack with 
$60 in cash. They gave me $20 and kept $20 each. We had a high time 
for a few days, and thought not of a day of reckoning ; but it came. A 
Provost Guard of three appeared in camp a week or so tnereafter, with or- 
ders to arrest Harry Hobart and William Kirk. We were all three in one 
tent at the time, and when the guard announced their errand Hobart an. 
swered promptly, but Kirk turned over in his bunk, hiding his face, appa- 
rently very much frightened. Seeing his condition and realizing that 1 was 
equally culpable with him, (the squad havirg explain' d cause of arrest), I 
announced that I was the man they wanted, and, taking Kirk's place, Ho- 
bart and mvself were marched to the Irving block and put in with the 
other prisoners, both Federal and Confederates. The immediate cause of 
the arrest and the reason my name was not in the order, was this : Some 
time previous to the Hernando march a bunch of Federal Cavalry had been 
in the same locality where we got the horse, and one of them forc>b y 
traded the horse he was riding (and owned), for a much better one than his 
own. (It will be recalled that cavalrymen generally owned their own 
horses.) It seems that the very horse he left was the one ive took, and, when 
the cavarly man, by chance, saw his old horse in the possession of the black- 
smith in Memphis, he claimed him, and. because the blacksmith wouldn't 
give him up, claiming he had bought and paid for him, the trooper had the 
old man arrested, and the whole story came out, how the blacksmith had 
bought the horse of Kirk and llobart, etc. He didn't know anything about 



( 1 86 2 ) JUS TOR ) ' OF BA TTER ) ' "A. " 53 

my part in the deal, and I might have escaped all that followed if I had net 
pitied Kirk. The cavalry man, by his action, run his head into a noose, 
too, tor. while the horse he left in the country was his own the horse he 
took became a government horse, same as the one we took, became a gov 
eminent horse, and not private property, a fact that we were soon to learn in 
a very summary and lasting manner. He lost his horse and we paid for our 
fun, while the blacksmith was liberated. Kirk escaped, for we said nothing 
about him, while Hobart and myself were confined and court martialed. I 
don't recollect just how long we were in the Irving block, but only a few 
days, for we escaped one night, taking a perilous chance to get away from 
our undesirable associates and their vermin. It was a 'thrilling escaspe.' 
We had, in a day or two, got acquainted with an inmate by the name of 
Kelly, a member of the 6th Missouri, who suspected by our appearance, T 
presume, that we needed sympathy and aid if we could get it Not being 
accustomed to such surroundings, he took us aside and quietly unfolded a 
plan for our escape. lie said he had a rope up the chimney leading from 
the fireplace and that he could let us down during the night into the alley; 
said he had helped out, quite a number, hut there was danger ; that a day 
or two before a warning had been read to the prisoners ; that if any more 
escapes were attempted, the guard had orders to shoot without halting. We 
felt a little nervous over this, so Kelly proposed that at midnight he would 
fix up a •■dummy" to test the sincerity of the order. We had gunny sacks 
to sleep on. Kelly took some of these and stuffed them into a pair of pants 
and tied a pair of hoots to the bottom of the pants. Hitching a pair of 
Buspenders to this, he approached the window and let it down. All was 
silent for awhile. Then Kelly rattled the boo'S against the side of the wall 
when — bang went a gun and a bullet whistled by. Immediately there was 
an alarm, and we heard the tramp of hurrying feet up the stairs. Every 
man tumbled on the floor and feigned sleep. Kelly had taken the stuffing 
out of his dummy. Soon the door opened and in rushed the guard and an 
officer, wanting to know who had escaped. Of course, we were all ignorant 
of anything of the sort. So the roll was called, and every man answered to 
his name. The officer remarked, 'It must be up-stairs,' and they filed out. 
They did not find anybody missing, and the mystery remained unexplained. 
This same day I had found an opportunity to talk with the officer of the 
guard, and in explaining our predicament, had gained his sympathy, so he 



54 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1S62) 



"•ave Hobart and me the privilege of the corridor, which extended the 
whole length of the building. This fact gave ns an opportunity to carry 
out a plan that we decided on the next morning. The disgusting food and 
filthy surroundings, decided ns to take our chances that night to get to 
camp again, at least to get a square meal or two and change of clothing. 
Hobart was to watch the guard at the fiont or street side, while I was to 
watch the rear alley, and when both guards were away from the side alley 
where we expected to escape, we were to make the attempt. This moment 
arrived about one o'clock in the morning, and Kelly had everything ready. 
We slid into the alley and walked boldly out on to the lighted street, and 
quickly made our way to camp without further incident, going to the creek 
for a batb and change before we turned in. 

"Capt. Wood and the boys were very much surprised to see us in line, 
at roll call the next morning. After roll call the Captain called us up for 
an explanation. We told him all about it. He advised us to go back and 
report to the officer in command. 'I won't send a guard with you; go 
yourselves, and tell the whole story,' said he. 80 we went back and did 
so. The commander was surprised that we had no guard, and I could see 
that he was also amused. We told him we wanted a bath, a change of 
clothing and something good to eat. He gave us better quarters than we 
had before. 1 suppose Kelly lost his rope. That day Capt. Wood came to 
see us, bringing with him JVIajor Willard, who was the Provost Marshal of 
Memphis. They talked very seriously to us, saying that we had, willingly 
or unwillingly, committed a cr'me, and that they could do nothing for us ; 
their business was to enforce discipline, and that the law should and must 
take its course. They said, however, they had succeeded in getting Gen. 
Sherman to permit us to go to cam]) and there remain under arrest until 
the court martial covened. Whereupon we went to camp and a special tent 
was erected for our accommodation, where we remained several weeks with 
nothing to do — und<>r guard, of course, but quite at liberty. The boys 
thought we were having a good time and wanted to be under arrest, too. 

'•Finally, we were summoned for trial, and again we went without guard 
and reported to the court. The first question was, 'where is your guard.* 
'We haven't any.' 'Well, well, this is surprising,' said the Judge Advocate. 
'Who is your counsel?' was next asked. 'We haven't any.' We were 
ushered into the building and the court solemnly convened, and we were 






(iS6 2 ) HISTORY OF BATTERY tl A." 55 

alone without counsel or a triend in sight. Things looked eerious to us. 
The charges were about to be read, when in walked Major Willard and 
Capt. Wood. Major Willard immediately announced that he appeared for 

the defendants. The charges and specifications were formidable, and I didn't 
see how we were going to escape being shot : but, by the adroit manage- 
ment of Major Willard (who was a good lawyer), and the influence o\' both 
the Major and Captain Wood, the charges were cut down to 'a breach of 
good order and military discipline, and conduct unbecoming a soldier.' On 
this we were convicted, and lined two month's pay. The horse we gob- 
bled, and supposed to be ours, was really Uncle SmnV, and we had legally 
committed a serious crime ; but it was made plain enough that we did not 
realize it, and. owing to our previous good record and conduct, we were 
let off lightly." It is needless to say that neither of the three boys ven- 
tured in any uncertain deals during the remainder of their army service. 

Our next move was the advance on Vicksburg. by the way of the Yazoo 
at Chickasaw Bayou and Haines Jiluff. We embarked on the steamer "City 
of Memphis," Dectmber 20, and went down the Mississippi to the Yazoo. 
On the night of Friday, December 26, we debarked from the steamer, 
landing against a steep bank, up which we had to drag our guns by hand. 
camping there that night, and moving into line of battle the next day. 
when lighting was begun, mostly by the infantry, Frank Blair's men mak- 
ing a brilliant charge through the mud. We masked our Battery and re- 
mained quiet till Sunday morning, when wo marched forward to Chickasaw 
Bayou. Our movements at this point are fully detailed in Capt. W r Ood's 
official report, which follows : 

Headquarters, Company "A." First III. Artillery, 
On Board Steamer Planet, January 16, L863. 
Dkar Sir : — 

I have the honor of reporting to yon the part taken by the Battery 
under my command in the actions before Vicksburg, on the 27th, 2Sth> 
29th, 30th, and 31st nit., and the 1st inst. 

Battery debarked from steamer. City of Memphis, on the night of 
Friday the 26th alt., on the right bank of the Yazoo, about one mile above 
the old river. On Saturday morning, with Division, moved toward the 
front, bivouacing for the night near the Vicksburg road. 

On Sunday morning, moved forward to Chickasaw Bayou ; went into 
Battery about 11 a. m., and opened a sharp fire on the Levee Rifle Pits, 



BATTLE OF CHICKASAW BAYOU, MISS. 

DECEMBER 29 th, 1862. 

Showing 1st B ittalion L3tli U. S. Int'mtry as sharpshooters, behind tree:- 

and logs, on right; 6th Missouri Infantry crossing Bayou; and 

Battery W 'A" Chicago Light Artillery on left of picture. 



Drawn by Wm. B. Daniels, Albion, Boone Co., Neb., who was a private in Co. "C,' 
1 st Battalion, 13th U. S. Infantry, and participated in the above engagement. 



13th Infantry commanded by .Major I). Chase. 

Battery "A" C. L. A. commanded by Captain P. P. Wood. 

Brigade commanded by Colonel (Tiles A. Smith. 

Division commanded by General Morgan L. Smith. 

Armv commanded bv General AV. T. Sherman. ' 



RefekfnceS: "Sherman's Memoirs," pages 438, 439 and 441, volume 1 
Greeley's "American Conflict," page 291, volume 2. 

Extract from Gkn. Sherman's Memoirs, vol. i, page 320: 

•• .Meantime the Sixth Missouri Infantry, at heavy loss, had also 
crossed the bayou at the narrow passage lower down, but could not ascend 
the steep bank: right over their heads was a rebel battery, whose lire was 
in a measure kept down by our sharpshooters (Thirteenth U. S. Infantry) 
posted behind logs, stumps and trees, on our side of the bayou. The men 
of the Sixth Missouri actually scooped out with their hands caves in the 
bank, which sheltered them against the fire of the enemy, who. right over 
their heads, held their muskets outside the parapet vertically, and fired 
down. So critical was the position, that we could not recall the men till 
after dark', and then one at a time." 




' 1 




IllMMMHiiMiir ••*-•* 



BATTLE OF CHICKASAW BAYOU. 



(1863) HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 59 

and a Battery opposite, it is supposed with some effect, ;is soon after open- 
ing, two regiments and some Held pieces of the enemy moved rapidly to a 
more covered position. We were engaged about three hours. 

On Monday, from same position, were ordered to cover the advance of 
tin' 6th Missouri Regiment, which we did. firing rapidly for about one 
hour, (for fear of endangjring the infantry in front, we ust>d our explosives 
with uncut fuse), retained our position, after our tire was ordered ceased 
until dark, when we were retired, being relieved by Mattery "B," Capt. Bar- 
rett. We were under tire this day about tour hour-. 

Tuesday night we were ordered by Major Taylor into an intrenchmenl 
(thrown up by the 55th Illinois under direction of Col. Malmborg), in and 
over a ravine on the right of Division, the position enfilading enemy's pits, 
and covering or cross-firing Ford, attempted by the 6th, on the preceding 
day. Had but four guns in this position. Fired none on Wednesday. 

On Wednesday night, with two detachments of command, assisted in 
placing in position, (to the right of Light Battery), two 30 pound Parrott 
•runs. 

Thursday afternoon, the enemy amused themselves trying to unmask 
us, Imt, as ordered, we returned no compliments. 

At 8 P. M. on Thursday, received orders to withdraw with command to 
boats; started about 10 p.m.; arrived at boat and embarked during the 
night in good order. Loss in men — none ; horses, four wounded. Rounds 
of am munition expended during the two days, the 28th and 29th, shell. '2'2 
pounder howitzer, 117; spherical case, 12 pounder howitzer, 108; spherical 
case, 6 pounder gun. 286 ; solid shot, 6 pounder gun, i!!)6. Total rounds, 
807. Very respectfully, 

P. P. Wo,,,,. Captain, 

I Commanding Company "A," Chicago Light Artillery. 

When the order came, Thursday night, to quietly hook up and with- 
draw to the boats we were all greatly surprised; but we learned the reason 
for it afterward. Gen. Grant had failed to connect there, owing to the de- 
struction of his base of supplies at Holly Springs. 

Gen. McClernand took command of the expedition here, and with it 
wo came hack to the mouth of White River, up which we proceeded to the 
"cut off," when we went up the Arkansas River to Arkansas Post. 

We were engaged in battle here on the 10th and 11th of January. 
L863, without the loss of a man and with one horse killed and four 
wounded. Toward the latter part of the fight we occupied a very exposed 
position within two hundred yards of the enemy'.- works, where we went 



60 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1863) 

instantly to work, sending half second shells among their work- so rapidly 
the rebels found it impossible to return the fire. This was kept np until 
■our ammunition was entirely exhausted, when we were relieved by Batteiy 
"B," about fifteen minutes before the fort surrendered with its 6,000 pris- 
oners and 10,000 stand of arms. Capt. Wood received a severe sprain of 
the ankle during this engagement, which, though very painful, did not 
keep him from duty. 

Our hoys will never forget the trip up the Arkansas River, on the 
Steamer "Von Pulil." The weather was very cold, wet and disagreeable, 
the rain freezing as it fell. Several darkies crawled under the boilers to 
keep warm, and smothered during the night. They were "buried" in the 
river the next day. One of the boys, Charley Arnold, found a place to 
sleep on a box about six feet long and two feet wide. He noticed a disa- 
greeable odor during the night which he could not account for. The next 
morning, vhen he rolled up his blankets, he found marked on the box the 
name of a Captain who had been killed at Chickasaw, whose body had 
been enclosed in the box. Another soldier, not one of the Battery, who 
was a little "full," crawled in with a dead soldier who lay on the upper 
deck under a blanket. 

The details of this tight are given in Captain Wood's subjoined re- 
port : 

IIkadquarters Company "A," Illinois First Artillery, 
On Boakd Steamer "Planet," January 1G, 1863. 

Dear Sir: — I have the honor of reporting t<> you the part taken by 
the Battery, under my command, in the action at the Post of Arkansas on 
the 10th and 11th inst.: 

We debarked about three miles from the Fort on the morning of the 
10th inst., and immediately moved forward with 1st Brigade, (under quite 
a heavy fire from the fort), into the woods, inside of the enemy's second 
line of works. During the night moved further to the front and right, 
and. on Sunday morning, were ordered into position by Gen. Sherman, in 
cleared space on the left of the Division, and north of Fort. At half-past 
12. opened tire on batteries and pits, which fire was kept up with but little 
intermission, until our infantry advanced, when we were ordered forward 
on road leading directly into the Fort. From this position were again ad- 
vanced to within five hundred yards of the works, where we remained, 
keeping up a steady hut not rapid fire. Our ammunition getting short, I 
ceased the fire from two sections, keeping up this fire until our chests were 



(1863) HISTORY OF BATTERY <\/." 6l 

empty. I retired the guns singly to our first position, where finding thirty 
rounds of 6 pounder projectiles, I sent one gun forward, where it remained 
hut a moment before being relieved by Battery "B." A few moments 
after, word was brought of victory. 

Loss in men — none; horses, one killed, four wounded. (Horse be- 
longing to Lieut. McCagg, killed.) Rounds of ammunition expended, 
shell, 12 pounder howitzer, 98 ; spherical case, L2 pounder howitzer, 96 ; 
spherical rase. 6 pounder gun, 371 ; solid shot, 6 pounder gun, 139. Total 
rounds, 70 4. 

Of Lieutentants McCagg and Young, and the men in the command, 
ir is needless to use words of praise. Suffice it, that every man in the 
command feels we did what we always strive to do, our whole duty. 

Very respectfully, 

P. V. Wood, Captain, 
Commanding Battery (, A," Chicago Light Artillery. 

In this last fight we had a wheel shot away, and one man knocked 
over by round shot. The man was unhurt. 

••The rebels are wasting considerable ammunition this morning, but 
do us no damage whatever." 

The man referred to was Julius \V. Kimbell. He was helpless several 
days from the effects of the injury. 

Squad one, Geo. M. Brown, gunner, tired the signal gun that com- 
menced the attack on this Fort. Our boys, were glad to see the white flag 
go up on the Fort. It had hardly been raised when a number of the Bat- 
tery boys ran for the fort and jumped over the rifle pits into it. Inside 
they saw a rebel soldier with both legs shot off, alive and holding the 
stumps in his hands and swearing like a trooper. Just then a rebel artil- 
lery Major came up and, shaking hands with our boys, asked if they be- 
longed to the Battery down the road. Upon being answered in the affirm- 
ative, he said. "You raised hell with us," and pointed to his guns and the 
dead and wounded men and horses lying about. He said they \va<\ shot 
most of the horses themselves ; the horses were nearly all dead. 

Our boys walked about to see the results of our victory, and saw many 
horrible sights. One casemented gun that had exploded or been knocked 
to pieces by the gunboats, had a number of dead and terribly mangled 
gunners inside the casement. The iron rails of the casement had been 
doubled and twisted all out of shape by the terrific tire of the heavy guns. 



62 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1863) 



Altogether it was a great victory, and compensated for the failure at Chick- 
asaw Bayou, although the withdrawal from that place was a masterly 
retreat, and the best and only thing to do under the circumstances. 

From here we were moved to Young's Point, opposite Vicksbnrg, and 
went into camp just inside the levee, where we laid all winter, while the 
long preparations for the final Vicksburg siege were made. This was a 
dull winter for the Battery, and the boys do not have any very pleasant 
recollections of these camps ; there was so much sickness and so many 
deaths. The old levee was full of dead soldiers, although our Battery fared 
very well in this respect. In addition to their regular duties, they manned 
two 30-lb. Parrott guns, while Butler's canal was being dug. The canal 
would persist in overflowing and Hooding our camps. On one of these 
occasions some of the Battery boys went hunting for ducks in a boat, and 
were upset. Fred Church, who was one of the party, illustrated it the next 
day, in his own inimitable manner, and furnished a great deal of amuse- 
ment to the cam]) out of their misadventure. Few stirring incidents oc- 
curred during the winter. 

On the 24th of January, the rebel transport "Vicksburg," ran the 
blockade, receiving three 30-lb. shots from the guns manned by our boys. 
On the 20th two more transports attempted the same feat, but were driven 
back. 

In the latter part of the winter our right section went with Colonel 
Giles A. Smith up the Sunflower River and Black Bayou to the relief of 
Porter's gunboats, which was most timely, as the Admiral was preparing 
to blow them up to save them. 

On the night of April 13, we were fortunate spectators of the grand 
sight of our gunboats running past the rebel batteries at Vicksburg. 

Soon after we went with Sherman up the Yazoo, and made a feint on 
Haines' Bluff. The design was to cause Pemberton to reinforce the Bluff 
instead of sending troops to interfere with Grant's crossing at Grand Gulf. 
It had the desired effect. 

We were hurried back out of the Yazoo, and overtook the rest of the 
army at Raymond on the night of May 15. The next day the battle of 
Champion Hill was fought, where we were in position and under fire, but 
were not engaged. May IT, we marched to the Big Black at a place called 
Bridgeport, where one rebel Lieutenant and twelve men kept our Division 



(i86 3 ) HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 63 

under command of Gen. F. P. Blair, from laying in pontoons from 10 

o'clock until 3. At that time Gen. Sherman arrived at the river, and 
seeing only a rifle-pit about fifty feet long, ordered Capt. Wood to open on 
it with one of our guns. We fired three shells when the rebels surrend- 
ered, and the pontoon was built and we crossed over that night. On the 
L8th we advanced on the works around Vickshurg. 

On the 19th of May, the three corps being in line, a charge was made, 
which the rebels easily repulsed, as they had the best natural fortifications 
[hat could be desired, rifle pits, heavy earthworks at the angles, with innu- 
merable large trees felled down the steep hillside with branches sharpened 
to a point. On the '1-1\\<\ another charge was made, which resulted like 
the first. 

Several days after this last charge, a truce was declared to bury the 
dead. They had laid long in the hot sun, and were all swollen and black 
as negroes, and so decomposed that they would not bear removal and were 
covered where they lay. 

AftT this we settled down to a regular siege of digging, sapping and 
mining, occasionally giving them a taste of our artillery all along the line. 
We manned, besides our own guns, three 30-lb. Parrott guns with which 
we did some good work, notably in the rear of Fort Hill, when Gen. Logan 
blew it up. Here the rebels had massed their troops to i\.pel Logan, who 
was fiercely struggling to enter the breach, we kept landing 30-lb. shells 
among them till dark, commencing about 1 o'clock. The siege lasted until 
July 1, 1S<;3, when Vickshurg surrendered with 33,000 troop-. 

Immediately after the surrender, before the guard was placed, our 
1-oys were over the works, and had a chance to circulate among the pris- 
oners, even down to the rebel headquarters in the city, and the batteries 
on the river front. The prisoners were in a wretched state for food and 
clothing, as were the citizens, women and children. They were living in 
caves dug into the street, embankments and elsewhere. 

The Battery Glee Club had some interesting and amusing experiences 
during the siege, and by their singing, engendered a friendly feeling in 
the hearts of the •'Johnny Rebs." 

Whenever firing ceased our boys would crawl up on the works on our 
side, and the rebels would do the same, and there our boys sang and talked 
with the enemy. When the time came to obey an order for action, our 



64 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1863) 

boys would yell out, "down, rebs," and they would yell back, "down, 
Yanks." Here George Whittier was killed by a sharpshooter. He was 
washing his hands in a stooping posture behind the works. Getting some 
soap in his eyes, he called for a towel and holding out his hands, he raised 
himself a little too high and a rebel bullet went through his heart. Charley 
Arnold cut his name upon the board that marked his resting place, which 
like service he did for many of the other boys. Billy Kirk died at this 
point, it was thought, chiefly from the fear of death, of which he had a 
presentiment. 

On the morning of July 5, our Division was ordered to march to 
Jackson, the Capital, where Joe Johnston was entrenched. This was in 
many respects the worst march the Battery ever took, and fairly eclipsed 
the famous "Calloway March." The road was about six inches deep with 
line dry dnst, and men and horses were of the same color as the ground. 
The weather was hot and dry. We were in the rear of the Division, and 
the cisterns were all drained dry when we came along. But we survived 
the trip and went into earthworks, which we built ourselves by sinking 
our guns into a pit, and throwing the dirt in front of a breastwork, mak- 
ing an embrasure of cotton bales. These were the safest works we ever 
occupied, as being low down, the rebels invariably shot over us. 

We besieged the city from the 10th to the 17th of July, when it was 
evacuated. While in camp here for a few days, eight of our men, Harry 
Young, Ed. Hughes, John Clark. Clarence Church, Sam Fandish, William 
Fitch, Fred. Kantzler and A. P. Maddock, were taken prisoners, and were 
held in captivity sixteen months, and Sergeant Wilber J. Wilcox was 
killed while foraffins for corn for our horses. 

The story of the sixteen months of imprisonment which followed the 
capture of the.-e men, is told by one of the survivors, William II. Young. 
It is in such simple, earnest language that its truthfulness is indelibly im- 
pressed upon the mind of the reader, and the wonder is that any human 
beings could have endured what they did and be alive and comparatively 
nil Mist and healthy, to tell the story, thirty-six years afterward. The nar- 
rative is best told in his own graphic words, and is in full as follows : 
"HELD BY THE ENEMY." 1863—1864. 

"After the second battle of Jackson, Mississippi, in July, 1803, Lieut. 
Ilunisey being in command of the Battery, finding that forage for our 



(!86 3 ) HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 65 



horses was getting scarce, called for a volunteer detail to go ont and procure 
such forage as they could find. The volunteers from the Battery num- 
bered fourteen men. 

Sergt. Wilbur J. Wilcox, Sergt. Ed. Clark, John Steele, Clarence 
Church, Ed. Hughes, John Clark, Samuel Fandish. Win. Fitch, A. P. 
Maddock, Walter Phillips, Kitt Follansbee, W. H. Young, Fred. Kantzler 
and Jerome Briggs volunteered. We were furnished with a detail of in- 
fantry from the 127th Illinois volunteers of twenty-six men, which made 
our force forty men. We left camp about 9 o'clock a. m., on the 22nd day 
of duly. 

Crossing the Pearl River, we traveled about six miles toward the 
enemy, and two miles within their lines. Nothing of note happened on 
our way ont. After loading our wagons with such forage as we could find, 
the boys turned their attention to their own comforts, looking for such good 
things as they could find to satisfy their hunger. On our way out we 
noticed that a man on horseback would appear in the middle of the road 
about a quarter of a mile ahead of us, and w T ait until we got within a reas- 
onable distance of him, then disappear. He did this several times. 
We did not think much of it at the time ; but learned later that he was a 
Confederate scout, sent out to watch us. We started on our return, all 
feeling happy. On our way back to camp we captured the scout that had 
watched us while going out. lie told us we would have to fight before we 
got through ; and his words came true very soon. We had traveled about 
three miles toward camp, and in passing through a deep cut in the road, 
without warning, we were fired on by a squadron of cavalry in ambush. 
We saw at once that it was every man for himself. True, we made a short 
tight, but soon saw that they were too strong for us.. 

Our loss on that day was Sergeant Wilcox killed, A. P. Maddock 
wounded, and eight of the squad captured. I well remember the man who 
took me in. When he rode up to me, with sword raised over my head, I 
thought he was the biggest man I ever saw. He looked to me to be about, 
fifteen feet tall. He asked me where the rest of the Yankees were. Of 
course, I could not tell him. After questioning me awhile, he said, "Well,. 
get up there with the rest of the prisoners," and I immediately "got." We 
realized then that we were prisoners, but felt thankful that it was no worse^ 

How strange it sounded at that time. Little did we know or realize 
what was before us, and, perhaps, it was better for us that we did not. We 
soon learned that our captors were a part of Jackson's Tennessee cavalry, 
numbering about 250 men. We were soon started on our march, whither 
we did not know. My first experience as a prisoner was marching on a. 
road of red clay soil shortly after a rain shower. That was a slippery 
time, especially in going up hill. We traveled all that afternoon, passing; 



66 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1863) 

throusrh the rear of Hardee's army. Our inarch continued until about 
dark. That night we were put in a building that had been used as a cot- 
ton warehouse, where we rested very comfortably. As there was still some 
cotton left in the building, our beds, if not first-class, were soft and com- 
fortable. 

The next morning, about daylight, we were awakened by a humorous 
Confederate soldier, who, having gathered an armful of green corn from a 
field close by, opened the door of our prison, and throwing the corn in 
among us called out, "Breakfast." We did not relish the bill of fare at that 
time, but later on that same corn would have been considered a luxury and 
appreciated beyond price. We were marched all the next day, and at night 
we reached a small station on the railroad. There we remained about two 
days, where our number was increased by other prisoners coming in. We 
were soon forwarded to Mobile, Alabama, and remained there about two 
davs. Then we were taken np the river. Our next stopping place was Mont- 
gomery, Alabama. From there our journey to Richmond commenced. Not 
knowing that the exchange of prisoners had been stopped, we were led. by 
our guards to believe that we were going right through to be exchanged. 
Their object was to handle us with the least possible trouble to themselves. 
Our next stopping place was Atlanta. Ga., and our journey so far had been 
a picnic. Our stay in Atlanta was short. Soon we were on the move for 
Richmond where we were doomed to pass many weary days. We reached 
Richmond about the first of August. After spending one night in the 
city, with many other prisoners, we were marched to Belle Island, a small 
island in the James river, just above the city. 

Our prison on the island was a bank of earth in the form of a square, 
covered with old cast-off tents that the Confederates had no further use for. 
Then we realized that we were in for it, and the next thing to do, was to 
make the best of it. Now we realized what hunger was. We were formed 
into squads of hundreds ; our rations for each squad of 100, for breakfast, 
(any time from daylight to noon) consisted of 12 pounds of meat, mostly 
bone, and 25 small loaves of bread. Just think it — ^ an ounce of meat, 
with a piece of bread not much larger, for a hungry man's breakfast. Sup- 
per, (any time from noon until dark), £ pint of dirty soup, with a small 
piece of bread. Such was our rations day after day — always hungry and 
no relief. 

Thus we existed in that prison through a severe winter, without proper 
shelter, or sufficient clothing to protect us from the cold. Our little squad 
was fortunate enough to get in a tent together. I think we managed to 
get two old blankets, and that was all we had to protect us. One we used 
for our bed, the other to cover us. Imagine seven men trying to sleep under 
one blanket ! It reminded me of a minstrel show, where the end men fur- 






(1863) HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 67 

nished most of the amusement. 1 know that ours were kept busy trying 
to keep under cover. During the daytime our time was occupied in watch- 
ing when our next meal would come in, for we were just as hungry when 
through our last meal as we were before y-ettiiiii- it. 

Thus we passed the winter, until the month of March. About that 
time one of our squad, Fitch, was fortunate enough to get out in the cook 
house, where our meat and soup was cooked, and let me say to you, and to 
his credit, that he did not forget his comrades in the prison. He could not 
do much, but what he did do for us kept us from suffering from hunger as 
we had done in the past. He was a noble fellow, and true comrade. 

In the course of time our squads would get reduced to uneven num- 
bers, and, in order to keep us in squads of hundreds, they would turn us out 
of the prison and count us off into new squads. That was what we called 
"counting us with a club." The rebel officer would stand with a clnb in 
his hand, and, when 100 men were told off, he would make a sign with his 
club for the rest to stop until that hundred was put in charge of a Yankee 
Sergeant and moved into the prison. Every one knows how men will act 
who are cold and hungry and anxious to get back under shelter. They 
would try to crowd out, and get unruly. Then that kind-hearted officer 
would walk up to the weak and starved prisoners and knock them right 
and left. That is what we called "counting us with a club." 

Thus we passed the time until the 22nd of February. On that day 
we were taken to the city and kept until midnight. At that hour of the 
night we were marched to the railroad and put in box cars. We had no 
idea where we were going, some supposing it was to be exchanged. We 
soon learned that our destination was south, but we thought that any place 
would be better than the island. Each car was loaded to its utmost ca- 
pacity. Our journey from Richmond to Andersonville was eight days, and 
in that time we were permitted to get out of the cars one half day, and we 
fully appreciated the kindness of our escort in allowing us even that short 
time to stretch. Again we were put in our "side door Pullman sleepers," 
continuing our journey four days longer. We arrived at Andersonville 
about the 1st of March. We were again formed into squads of ninety men, 
when we were marched into the prison and turned adrift to shift for our- 
selves. There was no shelter prepared for us ; nothing but the open air 
and hard ground. Our little squad, now being reduced to five, was fortunate 
enough to procure some extra blankets, and, by forming a partnership with 
new acquaintances, we soon had a fairly good shelter. 

Andersonville was an open air prison of about twenty acres, surrounded by 
a stockade of square timbers, in height about twenty feet above ground, form- 
ing a solid wall around the prison. At intervals of about 3<»0 feet watch 
towers were placed, so the guard could look down in the prison and watch 



68 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1863) 

the Yankees. Within the prison, about thirty feet from the stockade, was a 
railing placed upon 2x3 scantling posts. That was Dead Line, and, woe 
to the one that ventured beyond its limits, or even placed his hand on it. 
It was sure death. No warning to keep away, but tired upon at once. 
Many men were killed by approaching too close to the dreaded "dead line." 
As the time passed, and other prisoners coming in, our prison soon became 
crowded, and our sufferings increased. Our squad was now reduced to four. 
Fitch, Clark and Maddock being exchanged from Richmond, and Fandish 
passing away in the prison, leaving Kantzler, Church, Hughes and Young 
to continue the struggle. 

After beincr in the prison quite awhile, and seeing our condition grow- 
ing worse each day, and no hope of relief, we noticed that Capt. Wurtz, 
the commander of the interior of the prison, was a German, and, we hav- 
ing a shrewed little German with us in the person of comrade Kantzler, 
we thought it would be to our interest to have our German interview the 
other German in the hones of bettering our condition. We learned that 
they had established a hospital outside of the prison, as the sickness had 
increased so fast they could not care for them within the walls. The result 
of Kantzler's interview was that in a few days he was called out to the 
hospital, and his promise in parting with us was, if in his power he would 
have the rest of us with him soon, and I am glad to say that in a few days 
Church and myself were sent for, soon to be followed by Hughes. Kantz- 
ler was given a place as cook, while Church and myself were detailed as 
undertakers, that is, we removed the dead from the hospital to what was 
known as the "dead house," a house built of brush to keep off" the sun and 
rain from the dead. True, we had plenty of business, but there was not 
much money in it, barely a living, and a poor one at that. Hughes was 
detailed as nurse in the hospital ; so we were all together again, our con- 
dition was vastly improved. We were put on parole not to try to escape. 
We saw so many that had tried it and were brought back, that we knew 
our condition would be made very severe if we tried it and were recaptured; 
and let me say that we owe to comrade Kantzler a debt of gratitude that 
can never be paid for his success in getting us removed from that living 
death. I feel, and my comrades will bear me out in it, our condition being 
such from long confinement on the island, that we would have been unable 
to stand the hardships within the prison, and the last one of us would have 
tilled an unkown grave. 

So, my comrades of Battery "A" owe it to comrade Kantzler that we are 
able to be with you and tell the story of our prison experience. We began to 
feel like new men; our work was not much of a tax on us, and we had 
plenty of time to attend to our laundry and keep our persons somewhat 
clean. We were fortunate in keeping in good health up to that time, 



(1863) HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 69 



which was much in our favor and helped to carry us through. We were 
always cheerful, and I fail to recall a single instance where an unkind 
word passed between us, or a dishonest act by any one of us, toward each 
other. There seemed to he a bond of friendship that could not be broken. 
We were as one; no ill feeling even entered our little squad, and the bond 
of friendship that was formed in those dark days, has lasted through the 
thirty-six years that has passed, and is as strong to-day, if not stronger than 
it was in that trying time when no one knew what the morrow would bring 
forth, and it will last until the last one is called to join the silent majority. 

1 wish to say a few words for the Confederate soldier; of those who were 
in the field at the front, and stood the brunt of battle. I can say, and my 
comrades will agree with me, that while in their hands we were treated 
with kindness and civility, for the home-guard and young boys that 
guarded us while in the prisons, I cannot speak so well of. They seemed 
to have no pity or feeling; for us. It was their delight to make our con- 
dition as miserable as possible. 

In Andersonville the saying was, that when one kills a Yankee he was 
entitled to a furlough. I don't know how true it was; but it looked that 
way. They would kill one on the least provocation. As the summer ad- 
vanced and the heat increased, our dead increased with it, reaching 100 a 
day during the months of July and August. It is estimated that thirteen 
thousand prisoners perished there in the first six months, all buried in un- 
known graves. Who was to blame for that awful sacrifice of human lives 
it is not for us to say. I always thought while the Confederates might not 
have been able to give us "Yankee" rations, they could have given us 
enough of what they did have, and prepared in proper shape. Our rations 
at Andersonville consisted of a small amount of meat, and corn meal of 
the coarsest kind, about half baked, unfit for healthy and strong men. That 
was the food until the prison became so crowded, and they could not bake 
enough to supply the prisoners. After that time they did not trouble 
themselves to bake it, but made it into mush. Then they would load a 
wagon, similar to one putting in a load of coal, drive into the prison and 
shovel out to each squad so much mush for a day's rations. The sanitary 
condition of the prison was beyond description. 

During the months of July and August there were confined within the 
stockade about 30,000 wretched human beings, about 1.500 to the acre. 
So we passed the Summer of 1804. About the first of September a report 
reached the Confederates that Gen. Sherman was coming that way that 
caused them to move the greater part of the prisoners to different points 
further South. We were again put in our "Pullman cars" and started for 
the South. Our destination proved to be Savannah, Ga. Our condition 
was much improved while in our last prison as there were not so many of 



70 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1863) 

us, we had plenty of room, and our food was somewhat better. Nothing 
of note happened in our last prison home, only our long and weary wait for 
the time of our exchange. We remained in Savannah about four months, 
until the 10th day of November 1864. Our time with the confederates was 
from July 22nd, 1863 until November 16th, 1864, about one year and four 
months. At last we were told to get ready for exchange. I did not put 
much faith in it, and would not believe it until I was safely on our own 
transports. You can imagine how anxious I was to get away, so much in 
a hurry that I was the third man that passed over to our transports, and in 
language more expressive than polite, I called back to that Confederate 
guard that they could all go to the warm place — they would never get me 
again. 

Thus, comrades of Battery "A," I have tried to give you a short his- 
tory of your comrades while in the different prisons of the South, that the 
children and grand-children of the members of Old Battery "A" may 
know what the young men of 1861 underwent, that they might have one 
Hag and one country. Yours fraternally, 

William H. Young. 

An exciting episode occurred during the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, 
in which Capt. Wood received a slight wound, and he and the entire gun 
squad, under gunner G. M. Brown, narrowly escaped annihilation. We 
were posted in the front yard or park of Col. Wirt Addams, a rebel guerilla. 
Pits for each gun were sunk about twelve feet square and three and a half feet 
deep, with boards set up in front two feet high, and the earth from the pits 
thrown back of the boards, making a good earth-work in front of the guns, 
nearly six feet high, with a narrow embrasure. We were facing a rebel 
battery from New Orleans, with six ten pound rifled guns, and one sixty- 
four pound Columbiad behind heavy earthworks. The rebel small guns 
were spiteful shooters. One afternoon Capt. Wood was in our pit and we 
were standing around a little careless, and evidently the rebels got a glimpse 
of the tops of our heads. John Clark was behind an oak tree nearby, 
watching for shots — we always kept our man on watch — when suddenly he 
called, "down," and a shot came direct for us and struck our little earth- 
work four feet to the right and ten feet in front of our embrasure, and lifted 
dirt all over us. Gunner, G. M. Brown, called to "load," but before we 
could get ready, Clark called "down" again, and another shot struck about 
fifteen feet nearly in our front, and before we could run our gun out, another 






(1863) HISTORY OF BATTERY "A" 71 

shot came and struck the cotton bales. "Fatty" Stewart had to protect our 
ammunition and himself; he was No. 5, cutting fuse. That shot made 
havoc of one bale of cotton and of Stewart's shanty, and blinded him — 
well, with cotton. All this time Capt. Wood was standing, his back against 
the boards that held the dirt in front, watching the excitement. When the 
fourth shot came and struck four test to the left and six feet in front of our 
embrasure, in a direct line for Capt. Wood, and exploded, one piece of the 
shell, weighing nearly four pounds, plowed its way through the earth six 
feet and through an inch board, and through the sleeve of Capt. Wood's 
blouse and stopped there, and bruised and numbed the Captain's arm a little. 
He caught hold of the iron in his sleeve and thought it the bones of his 
broken arm. and started for the surgeon's quarters in the house, saying, 
"My arm is off." Just then we got the ten pound Parrott loaded and run 
it out, and gunner Brown sent a shot square into the embrasure of the gun 
shooting at us, and we heard no more from them that day. We afterward 
weighed the piece of shell. The arm was black and blue, and lame for 
some time, which was Capt. Wood's only injury. 

From Jackson we marched back to the Big Black, where we went into 
summer quarters in a magnificent grove, remaining until September '2~. 
We were then ordered to Chattanooga, going by boat to Memphis, and 
horses on foot and guns on cars from there to Corinth, from which place 
we began our march, passing through luka. Tuscumbia, Eastport. Elkton, 
Winchester, Deckherd and the Narrows, between Bridgeport and Chatta- 
nooga, We crossed the Tennessee river twice and brought up on its north 
bank near the mouth of Chickamauga Creek. 

On the 24th of November our corps was formed for an advance in the 
afternoon, and occupied a spur of Missionary Ridge, without firing a shot. 
We entrenched for the night, and were settling ourselves nicely, when a 
rebel brigade came marching back to their camp, which we were occupying 
without their knowledge or consent. 

Lieut. Rumsey, with our right section, had gone out on picket with 
the infantry, and met them ; and, of course, there was a right. Here John 
Steele was wounded in the shin. 

The next day our corps attacked the enemy's right flank and pressed 
it vigorously all day. At about 4 o'clock the Army of the Cumberland 
made a charge in the center and swept everything before them. Hooker 



72 HISTORY OF BATTERY '-A." (1864) 

had taken Lookout Mountain, driving Brag*; from his fortifications. We 
followed him until lie took refuge at Dalton, Georgia. 

Then we came back and went into camp near Chattanooga, leaving 
which we took the back track through the Narrows again, which was liter- 
ally paved with dead mules. We went over the mountains, some days not 
making more than three miles. We would hitch twenty horses to a gun, 
and drag it over the mountain, and then go back and get the caisson. This 
was because our horses were so nearly starved they could scarcely stand up. 

In the assault that ended in the defeat and retreat of Bragg, our boys oc- 
cupied a position from which they had the best view of a battle of any they 
were ever engaged in. From the eminence on which they were posted, they 
could see away off to the right across the Tennessee river, Gen. Thomas' 
assaulting columns moving upon the ridge. Following this battle of M.is- 
sionery Ridge and Lookout Mountain, we were moved to Bellfont, Ala., 
which place we reached about Christmas (1863) where we remained about 
a week. Here we experienced some of the coldest weather we had in our 
whole army service. Pools of water frooze over hard enough to hold up 
our mule team and wagon. On the 1st of January 1864 we went into camp 
near Larkinsville, Ala., reaching there at 12:30 A. M. It was bitterly cold 
and none of the boys were out to roll call in the morning. Here John 
Oonnell and the blacksmith made a couple of pairs of skates on the 3d and 
utilized them two or three days, on a small pond near the camp, which was 
a revelation to the natives in that locality. We settled down to spend the 
winter in Larkinsville, and make ourselves as comfortable as possible. 
Good quarters were made in log houses and warm stables built for our 
horses. During the winter a great mania for whittling in Laurel root 
broke out in camp, and many an hour was spent in that occupation. Many 
curious, ingenious and quite artistic articles were produced by the boys in 
their leisure hours. One of particular merit was a big pipe made by John 
Council, which he still has. It is a real work of art, and has taken first 
premium at several fairs, where he has entered it for specimen of wood 
carving. Another interesting relic of the camp at Larkinsville, which 
shows how the boys occupied their leisure time and amused themselves, is 
in the possession of C. B. Kimbell. It is a minature 30-lb. Parrott gun, 
two inches long, made of Laurel root and cut to form a watch fob. 
It was the work of A. V. Pitts, who was a genius and an artist in that line 




( ( 

y 

L ft 






$ |©oa 





?<§/ 



^ce-nc? \st 




5tarH \oy W\e Mountains 



z 








" On Top dA Last. 



-4 





Fired on by Guerillas !! 




es camp\ 

one piece „, 

Loural which he had put in his pocket pre- 

vousToihe attack and he begins to u-hitHt 




f\nd makes the qwn whickij sent t< 
K\mbe\\. 



76 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1864) 



and was sent by him to his old chum and comrade, who was home on ac- 
count of his wound. Accompanying the gun was a series of illustrated 
sketches made by Fred S. Church, showing the history of the gun, from the 
time Pitts started out from the camp in the morning in search of Laurel 
root, until his arrival in camp and and the successful completion of his work. 
The sketches indicate the strong natural artistic talent which Church then 
possessed and which afterwards developed, placing him in the front rank 
among the artists of this country. 

The pleasantest winter of our whole army service was spent here. 
After the first cold spell the weather, was warm and dry. The boys amused 
themselves nearly every day, playing base ball and other games. In the 
latter part of the winter the famous "Larkinsville Theatre Co." was organ- 
ized which furnished no end of amusment and entertainment. The talent 
developed, surprised themselves and all their friends in neighboring com- 
mands. "Jimmy" Milner was the playwriter and president of the combi- 
nation. Fred Church who has since become as noted among the artists of 
the nation, as he was among his comrades during the war, was scenic artist, 
George Beach was the "star" and Ed. E. Williams and S. S. Kimbell im- 
personated the female characters well, if not to perfection, in wardrobes 
borrowed from all the wives of officers that were quartered for the winter, 
in our division. Charley Smith and Harry Long immortalized themselves 
in various parts, and Charley Arnold made a first-class Satan, and as he 
says "played the very Devil." The make up of Satan was particularly 
original and effective, and once seen could never be forgotten. The mask 
and tail he wore were of his own manufacture in camp. The tail was made 
by winding binding cotton around a crooked stick and covering it with a 
piece of rubber poncho, and the mask of another piece of a poncho, cutting 
holes for the eyes, nose and mouth, and surrounding them with white cloth, 
making a hideous enough object to answer all ordinary purposes. But 
Bartleson and Arnold conceived the idea of making a more hideous mask 
by moulding a horrible face in clay, baking it in a Dutch oven and mould- 
ing a piece of pasteboard box over that. They worked diligently all one 
afternoon and succeeded in producing the most devilish face ever seen. 
They put the mould to bake in one of the darkey cook's Dutch ovens, after 
he had gone out for the evening. On his return sometime in the night he 
noticed a fire in his oven and looked in to see what was going on, and see- 




ED. E. WILLIAMS, 

"Leading Lady" Larkinsville Theatre Co. 

1864. 



78 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1864) 



I 



ing the horrible image within, uttering a screech like a Comanche India 
he ran as if for his life, yelling, "its de debble sure." The fame of the 
Troup spread throughout the entire division. 

Gen. Logan and Staff came from Huntsville to witness a performance. 
Gen. Sherman was a frequent spectator, and Gen. Morgan L. Smith a con- 
stant one. He invited all the perfomers to his headquarters one afternoon 
previous to a performance, where he undertook the task of "Stalling the 
Battery boys," as he afterward expressed it, and getting them in such a 
condition that they could not perform, but their heads were too level to be 
caught, and the best performance they ever rendered, followed, and the 
General acknowledged his defeat. 

The following play bill will give a fair idea ot the entertainments pro- 
duced, and talent diplayed : 

BATTERY THEATRE, COMPANY "A," C. L. A., 

LARKINSVILLE, ALA. 

President J. W. Mi4ner. 

Treasurer . . . C. E. Smith. 

Manager L. H. Beach. 

Musical Director .;S. Kennedy. 

Scenic Artist E. S. Church. 

Stage Carpenter Speer, Chase and Raymond. 

Properties and Costu mes Bartleson and King. 

Wednesday Evening, Apkil 27, 1864, 
will be presented the celebrated drama, 

A MOMENTOUS QUESTION. 

Robert Shelly (a young poacher) E. A. Ware. 

James Greenfield (a game keeper) G. B. Beach 

Union Jack (scamp of the Village) O. C. Foster. 

Chalk (iandlord of the Luckj T Horse-Shoe) J. B. Day. 

Moletrap T. Thompson. 

Rachel Rayland E. E. Williams 

Fanny Dossett (a servant) ... A. Wilson. 

Overture by Orchestra. | Song .... by ... . Glee Club. 



(i 864) HISTOR Y OF BA TTER Y l A." 79 

The evening's entertainment will conclude with 
COOL AS A CUCUMBER. 

Plumper G. B. Beach. 

Old Parkins O. C. Foster. 

Fred Barkins J. II. Long. 

Jessey Honiton A. Wilson. 

Mary Wiggins E. E. Williams 

SECOND NIGHT'S ENTERTAINMENT. 
The performance will open with the elegant drama of 
THE YANKEE NEPHEW. 

Zedekiah Hull C. E. Smith. 

Charles Howard G. B. Beach. 

Dr. Hawley O. C. Foster. 

Oldest Inhabitant J. B. Day. 

Servant J. Maloney. 

Officer R. Greene. 

Miss Hattie Hawley E. E. Williams. 

Miss Delia Dayton A. Wilson. 

The evenings entertainment will conclude with the stunning farce of 

APOLLO D'AFRIQUE. 

Old Squintum O. C. Foster. 

Pete L. H. Beach. 

Rose G. B. Beach. 

Jake H. Roberts. 

Mrs. Squintum R. Greene. 

Pilgarlic J. H. Long. 

Performance Saturday evening if weather permits. 

THIRD NIGHT. 
The evening's entertainment will open with the celebrated tragedy 

entitled the 

SCOURGE 

OF 

SAX MARINO. 

Corruvio G. B. Beach. 

Arrolto J. II. Long. 



80 HISTORY OF BATTERY l -A" (1864) 

Malevolus O. C. Foster. 

Nobleman C. E. Smith. 

Satan C. L. Arnold. 

Demon L. H. Beach. 

Monk J. B. Day. 

Dorrugio R. Greene. 

Almina Dornetto E. E. Williams. 

Robbers, &c, by gentlemen of the profession out of a job. 

"SYNOPSIS." 

Scene 1st. — Arrolto ejected from his home, retires to an old tower and 
sells his soul to Satan. Scene 2nd. — Bar-room in San Marino. Arrolto 
collects his band. Scene 3rd. — Ten years later — a nobleman enters the 
city and discloses to Corruvio and others the name of the "scourge." — 
Scene 4th. — Corruvio and Almina parting. Scene 5th. — Corruvio's com- 
bat with Arrolto and his defeat. Grand finale. 

The evening's entertainment will conclude with the stunning farce of 
BOX AND COX. 
caste : 

Box Harry Roberts. 

Cox L. H. Beach. 

Mrs. Bouncer J. W. Milner. 

Before reaching Larkinsville we had the misfortune to lose our "mas- 
cot," which had been constantly with us since we left Paducah. No well 
regulated command was considered "fully up-to-date" that did not possess 
a "mascot," and up to this time, we had "kept up with the procession" in 
that respect. The article consisted of any live thing, biped or quadruped, 
from a chicken to a pig, or little contraband "coon." A Wisconsin regi- 
ment had an American eagle, "Old Abe," which sat proudly perched upon 
a frame over their banner while being carried on all their marches and 
through all their engagements. A company in the 51st Illinois Infantry 
had a kitten, but Battery "A's" mascot was a "thorough-bred" mongrel dog, 
a cross between a Scotch terrier and something else unknown; but he was a 
doe among a thousand all the same. He came to us in Paducah from 
some infantry regiment. He seemed to consider an artillery man a su- 
perior being, and looked with perfect disdain on any infantry man that 



(i86 4 ) JI I STORY OF BATTERY "A." 81 



tried to make any advances toward an acquaintance. Among his many traits 
he considered it his sacred duty to always carry something when on a 
march. Any old shoe, bootleg, hone or stick that he could pick up in the 
morning, would he carried all day with unfailing regularity. Charley 
Smith, in writing to a brother, in 1862, who was a minister in Franklin- 
ville, 111., told the story of our "mascot," which is worthy of reproduction 
here: 

•Our Battery dog is harking at some loose horse. That reminds me 
of my carelessness in not before describing so illustrious a character as that 
dog. lie is the pet of the Battery, known as well to the horses as the men 
ami has been associated with our interests over eighteen months. He owns 
no one as master, but all. On the march he will follow no one gun, but 
persists in leading or going beside the advance piece. He has been in four 
battles and twice wounded, once at Donelson and once at Shiloh. At this 
latter tight he learned caution, and now at the sound of firing he will hunt 
a tree with as much zeal as his biped friends. What is the most singular 
is his diet. In this respect, he is a thorough old soldier. While in camp. 
fresh meat, bread and potatoes, too, if we have them, are not too good for 
him. On the march he takes his 'hard tack' ami bacon, and not a man but 
will give him a share. If we are on short rations he takes a meal of corn 
or oats with some horse, lie has had as many names as the 'Old Man of 
the Sea/ his last has stuck to him longest, 'Tony.' \\\ persona! appearance 
he i:- not calculated to impress one with a sense of his faculties; hut shaggy, 
black mongrel as he is, he knows more than some men, and fears no dog 
that lives. Although often worsted in encounters with superior-sized dogs, 
he never leaves the field in disgrace, but his tail is just as high over his hack- 
as ever, and one could not help thinking that the old fellow feels conscious 
that he has done his duty. Kights, he is invaluable at the grain pile, in 
driving away stray horses, and has often been my companion in standing 
guard. He is never absent from 'roll call,' however far he may he away. 
chasing a horse or otherwise, the sound of the 'assembly' has just as potent 
an influence on him as on us. He never loses us. and never takes any 
other battery for us. In fact, he is a 'wonderful dorg,' and the hoys think 
the world of him.'' 

During the three months service, one of our boys even entered the rep 
tile kingdom to obtain one of these necessary articles. J. F. Stackhouse a 



82 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1864) 

natural scientist and naturalist, (surnamed "Snakehouse" for obvious reasons) 
captured a large yellow moccasin which he tamed and petted as ordinary 
human beings would a kitten. He devoted all his spare time to gathering 
snakes, lizards, toads, bugs, etc., and his collection was a source of mortal 
terror to all his messmates, who feared they would escape and become part- 
ners in their bunks and blankets. The Government for some reason failed 
to appreciate the value of any such addition to an army outfit, and neglected 
to appropriate anything for its support and transportation and the collec- 
tion was relegated to its native jungles about Cairo. 

Some very pleasant acquaintances were made by the boys at Larkens- 
ville among the native families, notably the Baker family which lived up 
the mountain, and included several young ladies. Parson Risley seems to 
have been the one most specially favored by this family, presumably so on 
account of his ministereal manner and bearing. He writes in his diary of 
Saturday, April 30th, 186i, "I went to call on our friends the Baker family, to 
bid them good bye. E. P. Fish went with me and Lieut. J. W. Rumsey came 
up afterwards. He brought my war horse k Donelson,' a»d presented it to 
Miss Martha Baker. Mrs. Baker prepared supper for us, of spring chicken, 
etc. We spent a delightful afternoon and evening, with the old folks and 
young ladies." Sunday May 1st we regretfully broke up and took leave of 
our pleasant camp. Under this date the Parson writes, "Mr. Baker came 
in camp to see us off. He brought a bag full of nice cakes from the young 
ladies for their friends in the Battery. Miss Mollie sends me an extra lot of 
nice cookies, for which she has my sincere thanks." On this date we started 
off for Chattanooga, on the Atlanta campaign. We camped at night within 
two and half miles of Bellfont, and slept on the ground, for the first time 
in months. Of this night Parson Risley writes he slept well, in company 
with Fish and John Lord, presumably on account of the "Lord" being 
with them. 

The next day (Monday) broke camp at 8 o'clock. Weather cool and 
roads splendid. Went into camp at 4 o'clock within four miles of Steven- 
son, Alabama. As it looked like rain, the boys pitched their V tents for 
the night, and crawled in for a good night's sleep, lulled to slumber by the 
brigade band playing "Away Down South in Dixie." 

Continuing our march on the 3d, reached Bridgeport late in the after- 
noon, and the next day, May 4, crosse 1 the Tennessee river on the pontoon 



(1864) HISTORY OF BATTERY il A." 83 

bridge, in the morning, and reached Nickel Jack Cave in the afternoon' 
where we halted a half an hour, many of the boys bathing their feet in the 
creek during the wait, the water of which was ice cold. Passing on we 
came hack through the Narrows and over the north end of Lookout Moun- 
tain, reaching Snake Creek Gap May 9. We passed through the Gap pre- 
ceded by the Ninth Illinois Mounted '[nfantry and General Kilpatrick's 
Cavalry. The General was wounded here and taken to the rear. 

We were drawn up in line of battle at its east end, looking into Res- 
aca, where the enemy was protected by earthworks. On the 11th Johnson 
massed his forces on Resaca, and on the 15th we had a lively tight. 

Captain Wood was taken very sick here, and Lieut. Rumsey took com- 
mand of the Battery. On the 13th our position was on the slope of a hill. 
Two 20-pound Parro'tts, belonging to the Fourth Ohio Battery, were 
above us, on top of the hill. These guns were tiring over us into the enemy's 
works, which were in plain view. At .5 o'clock one of the 4th Ohio's shells 
burst right over us. A fragment of the shell hit Lieut. Rumsey on his 
right shoulder, tearing the flesh away from the bone, and effectually "kill- 
ing his shoulder strap," as he expressed it. He was taken to the field 
hospital and Parson Risley was detailed to nurse him. 

On the 20th a twenty day's furlough was granted Risley to go to Chicago 
with Lieut. Rumsey, who was in hospital at Resaca, which place the rebels 
had evacuated, burning their bridges behind them in their Might. AVe fol- 
lowed the rebel army, commanded by Johnson, and met them next at Dallas. 
They charged on us repeatedly, but were each time repulsed with heavy loss. 

O.i the 30th day of May, 18»'»4, while our Battery was in breastworks 
here. Generals Sherman, McPherson, Logan, Barry and Col. Taylor came to 
our breastwork to reconnoitre the enemy's works in our front. Sherman 
went over by squad one's gun by himself. McPherson came up and stood 
at the muzzle of No. 1 gun and raised his field glass, and Logan stood be- 
hind him. resting his left hand on the cascabel of the gun. Col. Taylor 
st«»od directly behind Logan's arm. A sharpshooter tired a bullet under 
McPhcrson's arm ; it cut a gash in the top of Logan's arm, and hit Col. 
Taylor fairly in the left breast. Enoch Colby was one of the first to help 
carry the Colonel off ; McPherson loosened his clothes, and the wound 
looked very serious. Gen. Sherman, then coming back to where we had 
laid the Colonel down, asked McPherson if the wound was mortal. Mc- 



84 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A" (1864) 

Pherson replied that he could not say yet. We afterward learned that the 
hullet had glanced a rib and went around instead of through. 

It was here that comrade Stiger, of the Battery, was severely wounded 
l>y a sharpshooter, while lying on his blanket, which bullet would have 
probably hit Colby, but for his having changed his position around behind a 
large tree about one minute before, for he had been lying not two feet from 
Stiger and between him and the rebel sharpshooter. 

An amusing incident occurred in the hospital tent at Resaca, in which 
Lieut. Rumsey was staying, while waiting for transportation home. He 
had a hard night and Parson Risley was sleeping soundly by his side. 
Wanting some water in the night, he called for the "Parson." He did not 
waken easily and John's repeated calls for the "Parson" aroused the chap 
lain who was sleeping in the same tent. He supposed some poor sufferer 
was needing spiritual consolation of a different nature from what Rumsey 
was calling for, and promptly came to his assistance. Rumsey was disgusted 
and said " I don't want you, I want this parson by the side of me." It was 
a surprise to the chaplain to find there was another parson in the same tent 
more sinful perhaps than he. The Parson managed to arouse enough to get 
on his feet, and forced the contents of his canteen into Rumsey's face. His 
manner of doing it, brought out the remark from Rumsey that he would 
make a better "wet nurse" than anything else. The sick and wounded re- 
ceived motherly care here from Mother Bickerdike and Mrs. Porter, of the 
Sanitary Commission. They distributed oranges and lemons, and jellies 
among them with their own hands, and received the warm and hearty 
thanks of the boys, who greatly appreciated and enjoyed the treat. 

The rebels retreated from Resaca to Kenesaw Mountain, where there was 
fighting at close intervals from June 10th until July 3d, when the rebels were 
forced to retreat south of the Chattahooche river into the stronghold of Atlanta. 

While encamped near Kenesaw, Geo. Gates ("Gen. Debility") the sad- 
dler, presented Gen. Sherman with an elegant bridle, collar and martingales 
of his own make. They were sent with the following letter, to which Gen. 
Sherman sent an appreciative and characteristic acknowledgment. 

Near Kenesaw, Ga., June 25, 1S64. 
Major General W. T. Sherman. 

General: — As a private [of Battery "A" 1st 111. Light Artillery, I re- 
spectfully request that you will accept this bridle and collar as a slight 



(1864) HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 85 



token of the high regard and esteem which all soldiers entertain towards 
you as iiur commander. We, as a Battery, have long served under yon, as 
Division, Corps and Department Commander, and now as Chief in Com- 
mand, and at all times have felt confident that under your leadership our 
final success would be achieved. Please accept this bridle and collar. Gen- 
eral, made by me in camp at Larkinsville, Ala., simply as a slight tribute 
ot regard and confidence reposed in you. 

1 have the lienor to be, General, very respectfully 

Your obedient servant, 

George Gates, 
Harness maker of Battery "A" 1st 111. Light Artillery 
1st Brigade, 2nd Division. 15th Army Corps. 
To Major Genaral W. T. Sherman, 

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi. 



Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi, 

In the Field near Kenesaw, Ga., June 26, 1864. 
George Gates, 

Company 'A," Chicago Light Artillery. 

Dear Sir: — On reaching camp last evening I found your letter of June 
25th with a handsome bridle with bit and bridoon and a beautifully stitched 
breast-strap and martingales, done by your hands, in the leisure hours of 
camp. I assure you such a mark of your affection and respect is more ac- 
ceptable to me than many rich jeweled sword or fancy stud that are wont 
to be the tokens of military regard. To feel that the soldier at his post 
marks my constant labor to his safety and success, satisfies me that there 
are those witnesses close by who appreciate the truth of events far better 
than those in the back-ground, who judge of battles by thesound of popular 
clamor, rather than by witnessing the actual direction of armies and the 
dread missiles of war. For yourself and comrades, be assured that I have 
watched and noted your career with unalloyed satisfaction at Arkansas Post 
especially, at all the movements on Jackson and into Mississippi: at Vicks- 
bnrg when you had not only your own guns, but for six weeks lay close 
under its walls with the 30 pd. Parrotts, which did more execution than 
any guns at that memorable siege. 

1 have always borne testimony to the peculiar intelligence, good con- 
duct and gentlemanly deportment of the young men who compose your 
Battery, and when the war does close, if 1 survive it, I will make it my 
duty to give full honor and credit to the soldiers in the ranks, who, though 
in humble c pacitv, have been the working hands by which the nation's 
honor and manhood have heen vindicated. 



86 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1864) 



As Battery "A" was one of the first to fire a hostile shot in the war in 
the great valley of the Mississippi, I hope it will be one of the last, and that 
its thunder tones will in due time proclaim the peace resulting from a war 
we could not avoid, hut which called all true men from the fancied security 
of a former long and deceitful peace. 

With thanks to you personally, i am your friend, 

W. T. Sherman. 

Major General. 

Poor Gates did not do well after the war, but led a dissipated life in 
Chicago, dying in that city, in 1890, a homeless wanderer on the streets. 

It was about twelve miles northwest of Atlanta, on July 12, 1864, that 
Capt. Wood, Lieuts. McCagg and Young, with all of the three years' men, 
were ordered to the rear, for muster out, their term of service having ex- 
pired. A number of the comrades who joined the Battery in the early 
part of its second year, supposing their term would expire at the same 
time, now found it was a mistake, and that they were obliged to remain the 
full three years if w T anted. It was a severe disappointment to them, more 
on account of being obliged to separate from their old comrades, and the 
sad day will long be remembered, especially by those who remained behind. 

The veterans were mustered out and arrived at Chicago in due time, 
and were given a grand reception and banquet at the Tremont House, by 
their friends. 

A number of the members of Battery "B" had an unexpired term to 
serve also, so the two Batteries were consolidated, retaining the name of 
Battery "A," and Lieut. Smyth of Battery "I," First Artillery, was placed 
in command. 

On the evening of the 12th, the Battery moved with its corps to the 
northeast of Atlanta, marching all night and all the next day. Of this 
march it can be said a more mournful or sad one, never was mad« l , being 
separated for the first time from the comrades with whom we had been so 
intimately connected for two years. Having shared with them a common 
danger, linked together by the strongest ties of friendship, it seemed like 
severing the strong ties of our being to part with them. But the last 
pressure of the hand had been given, and each started off in the path marked 
out for them, one leading to freedom from war and carnage and the weary 
march and bivouac, to the oeaceful home and dear friends whose hearts 









(i86 4 ) HISTORY OF BATTERY 'Ar" 87 

would be gladdened by their safe return, while those remaining were to take 
the one leading to the uncertain future of civil strife, to face again the brave 
and determined foe, and plod along on weary marches through storm and 
sunshioe, with the earth for our bed and the broad canopy of heaven for 
our covering, yet in the distance Mas a bright star of hope which beckoned 
us on, a hope which overbalanced fatigue, hunger and exposure, which met 
its full fruition when one year later the white winged dove of peace again 
hovered over all our country, saved and reunited. 

We reached the outposts of Atlanta and camped about three miles 
from that city. Heavy skirmishing was going on along the whole line 
most of the time. On the 19th, 20th, and 21st, we took part in the engage- 
ments, and lost two of our new men, Samuel Hadlock and Jacob Dielman. 

On the 22nd the Battery was posted on a high ridge through which the 
railroad was cut, portions of the Battery being on each side. We had but 
a skirmish line of infantry to support us. This line became so hotly en- 
gaged when the enemy appeared in force in front, that the whole cut was 
enveloped in smoke, and they filed through unnoticed, and deploying in 
the rear of the Battery, made a bayonet attack on it, simultaneous with a 
similar attack in front. 

The Battery being so over] >owered was captured, and many of the beys 
were taken prisoners but very fortunately were soon afterward exchanged. 

Those captured were John Thomas, John Frazier, William Scupham, 
William Heartt, Lewis Lake, Edward Ferry, Charles G. Siller, John F. 
Stranberg, Thomas Wilcox, A . C. Hall, F.Sweeney. William H. Oowlin, 
S. P. Coe and Lieut. Smyth. A number were killed and wounded. The 
killed were brave John Far], Lieut. Raul), John P. Chalman and Alexander 
Biedelman. Tim Lvi eh of old s<piad one, and Thomas Canfield, each lost 
an arm. Our infantry soon rallied and forced the rebels back, regaining 
our position, but the rebels in retreating took four of our guns with them. 
The two remaining guns, in command of Sergt. Ed. Clark, opened lire on 
the rebels with solid shot, having no other ammunition. Lieut. Smyth 
having been made prisoner, Lieut. Cheney was placed in command the next 
morning, remaining about a week, when Lieut. Echte of a Missouri battery 
succeeded him. We took part in the grand move to the rear of Atlanta on 
the 26th, which culminated in the short but severe battle of Jonesborough 
on the 28th, in which we were engaged without loss, and which compelled 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." (1865) 



the evacuation of Atlanta. Sept. 4th a general order from Gen. Grant was 
read announcing its surrender. Here we were reorganized, and Capt. E. P. 
Wilcox, formerly of Battery "B" placed in command, and Lieut's Colby, 
Roberts and Dutch were selected by ballot by the members of the Battery. 
After about a month's encampment on the outskirts of Atlanta, we moved 
northward towards Hood's army, and when he countermarched by our left 
flank, and went south, we were ordered to Nashville where we arrived JNo- 
vember 1, 1864, and were in the reserve line during the battle tl^re. From 
here we were sent to Chattanooga, remaining till the latter part of June. 1865. 

Shortly after we reached Chattanooga it was discovered that the Battery 
was entitled to one more lieutenant, and the comrade surprised Spencer S. 
Kimbell by securing a commission for him, and presenting with it a beau- 
tiful sword, sash and belt. During our stay at Chattanooga we were in the 
reserve and doing garrison duty. Many of our boys were detailed on de- 
tached service, among them being Ferd V. Gindele and J. W. Kimbell, in 
the ordinance department, and James H. Shrigley. J. II. Long, and Win. 
II. Johnson which gave them the opportunity of taking part in Sherman's 
Grand March 'from Atlanta to the sea." These comrades were mustered out 
in Washington, at the close of the war. 

The war being virtually ended we were finally ordered home for muster 
out. "We arrived home July 3d, and were welcomed by kind and true friends. 
to enjoy again the comforts and sweets of civil life. A grand banquet was 
given in honor of our return. Our boys took up the new struggle of life, 
for fame and for fortune, each in his own sphere, some in the professions 
others in the trades and at farming, all happy in the consciousness of having 
done their share towards securing a peace to the country, which it is hoped 
will be as lasting as the government itself. 




Record of Battery "A." 



OCCUPATION OF CAIRO. 

OCCUPATION OF PADUCAH. 

FORT HENRY. 

FORT DONELSON. 

SHILOH. 

CORINTH. 

CHICKASAW BAYOU. 

ARKANSAS POST. 

CHAMPION HILL- 

VICKSBURG. 

JACKSON. 
CHATTANOOGA. 

RESACA. 

DALLAS. 

BIG SHANTY. 

KENESAW MOUNTAIN. 

ATLANTA. 

NASHVILLE. 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

OF MEMBERS OF 

BATTERY "A," FIRST ILLINOIS LIGHT 
ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. 



CHAPTER III. 

IN writing the history of the members of our company, it would become a 
monotonous repetition to ascribe to each individual member all the quali- 
ties of loyalty, patriotism and bravery which he possessed. And every mem- 
ber did possess them, as was fully demonstrated by their action in respond- 
ing to the call of their country, with eagerness and enthusiasm, when the 
news of the assault upon Fort Sumter flashed over the wires, throwing tin- 
entire loyal North into a blaze of patriotism. None but brave patriots could 
have borne so philosophically and uncomplainingly the discomforts and pri- 
vations incident to army life, adapting themselves so readily to every situa 
tion and making the best of it, often displaying an amount of versatility and 
inventive genius in mastering difficulties and producing comforts that sur- 
prised even themselves. Therefore, a mention on these lines in individual 
cases will be omitted as superfluous. Numerous difficulties have presented 
themselves in preparing these sketches. It has been no easy task to condense 
the details into such form as to make a history which all could satisfactorily 
peruse, both now and in later years. In some cases the data furnished has 
been very meager; in others, it has been so ample that it has required con- 
siderable care and judgment to discriminate as to what was best to omit 
or use. But what has been the most formidable difficulty to overcome has 
been the failure of numbers of the comrades to furnish any data for their 
sketches, in which cases the official records, as far as could be obtained, 
have had to suffice. It is hoped that the effort to make this portion of the 
volume a reliable record of the lives of our members has been fairly suc- 
cessful and will prove reasonably satisfactory to them and to all interested. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 91 



JAMES SMITH. 

The honor and credit of having founded and led into the held the first 
battery in the Union Army in the West belongs to Captain James Smith. 
lie was one of the original organizers of the battery, and had been con- 
nected with, and an active worker in, it since 1^47. so he was well fitted to 
take the lead, which he did with promptness and true Scotch vigor, and 
he found read)- followers and supporters from among the best young men 
of the city, many of whom had always known him. lie was born in the 
Parish of Old Deer, Scotland, where his childhood and youth were passed 
and his school education obtained. When a young man he emigrated to 
America and settled in Chicago, lie engaged in the lumber business, and 
at the breaking out of the war was a member of the firm of Sheriffs & Smith, 
and doing a large and lucrative business. He offered the services of the 
battery to Governor Yates, when President Lincoln made his firsl call for 
troops. They were accepted, and he left Chicago with his battery in the 
first body of troops for the war April 21st, 1861. He went to Cairo, where, 
after a few days, he was stationed up the Mississippi River, and went into 
camp, which was named in his honor, "Cam]) Smith." It was located m a 
dense forest of heavy timber and undergrowth, and he at once set to work 
with his men and began the clearing up of ten acres, in order to have a 
suitable drill and parade ground and a comfortable camp. This was accom- 
plished in due time, and under his instruction the battery soon became very 
proficient. He was a thorough disciplinarian, and a mosl careful tactician, 
and having had years of experience in the artillery drill and practice, was 
well fitted to train a body of intelligent and willing young men. During the 
summer his health began to fail, and in September he was obliged to resign 
his commission and return home. He remained in the city till the close of 
the war, and was very active in kinking after the interests of his old battery, 
caring for the sick and wounded as they were sent home, and assisting in 
supplying those in the field with many of the comforts and even luxuries 
which were not furnished by the government. And the boys at the front 
did not forget their old commander, and appreciated what he was doing for 
them. While in camp before \ icksburg in 1863 they demonstrated their 
affection and esteem for him by presenting him with a beautiful gold watch, 
iccompanied by the following letter: 

Camp of Co. "A,' - Chicago Light Artillery, Before Vicksburg, 

April 21, 1863. 
"Sir: Two years since, in the vanguard of the sons of Illinois going to do 
battle in their country's cause, you headed Chicago's battery. With un- 
yielding patience and perseverance the raw lev}' under your skillful guid- 
ance and care became efficient and active troops. Forced from their leader- 
ship by severe disability, you have ever been watchful of the interests of 
your old companions in arms. By your exertions our camp has numberless 




CAPT. JAMES SMITH. 



HIS TOR 3 r OF BA TTER Y ' 'A ." 93 



times been supplied with the delicacies and necessaries which can only be 
procured from home, and from those whose every care is the soldier's. Our 
sick and wounded have received from you a father's care, and the ashes of 
those brave oiks gone before have been gathered to rest in peace near their 
1 1\\ n 1' >ved h( >mes. Y< m are. sir, in the hearts of your old command, the father 
as well as the founder of Company "A." Chicago Light Artillery. 

Receive, sir. this watch, with the prayers of all for your future happi- 
ness and prosperity, and the assurance of the love and esteem of all of 

Company A. 
To Capt. James Smith, Chicago, 111." 

After the war he engaged in the mining business in the West, in which 
he was very successful. He died at San Jose. Cal., May I. 1872. His re- 
mains were brought to Chicago and interred in Rose Hill Cemetery. He 
did not forget his old comrades, and in his will bequeathed $2,000 for the 
purpose of erecting a monument for them in Rose Hill Cemetery, and the 
beautiful and appropriate monument of a stone field piece, draped in a flag 
of the same material, now standing in that cemetery, was made possible 
by the assistance of his generous bequest. 

lie was married to Mary L. Stoughton in 1847. Three children were 
born to them, two little girls, dying in infancy, and a son, Wm. B., dying 
Jan. 31, 1898. A sister, Mrs. Isabella Hadlev, widow of Dr. fladley, re- 
sides in Chicago. 

FRANK S. ALLEN. 

In the prime of life Frank S. Allen was called from his earthly home 
Ian. 2^, ["894, at Los Angeles, Cal., where he had gone, hoping to regain his 
health which, during the last two years of his life, had become very feeble. 
He was born in Providence, R. T.. April 4, 1836. and was therefore in his 
fifty-eighth year at the time of his death. He enlisted in the battery July 16, 
[861, and served with credit until Dec. 31. 1863. when he was promoted to 
tlie rank of Second Lieutenant, and transferred to the Second Louisiana 
( !olored Artillery, in which command he served till the close of the war. As 
a soldier he distinguished himself wherever duty called, and on many fields 
of battle displayed a heroism and manly courage that commanded the re- 
spect of his associates and the admiration of his superior officers. As a 
business man since the war he was well known for his energy, integrity and 
enterprise, as well as for his courteous disposition. He was one of the 
principals of the Chicago Scale Co.. and was very successful in his business. 
The taste he acquired in the army for military drill and discipline remained 
with him to the end of his life. He was one of the most active members of 
the National Guard, and as an officer in Battery "D," of Chicago, did as 
much as any one individual to build up that splendid organization to the 
high position it attained. His wife had preceded him but a few years to 




CHARLES L. ARNOLD. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 95 



the better world. 11 is remains wen- brought to Chicago and laid to rest in 
Rose Hill Cemetery. His funeral was conducted by the Masonic order, 
oi which he was a distinguished member, and was attended by a large num- 
ber of his old army comrades. The remains were kept in state in Battery 
"D" armory, where services were held. Among the floral tributes was a 
large piece of artillery done in carnation pinks and roses. His comrades 
will ever cherish his memory for his loyalty and devotion to his friends and 
to principle, his love for his country, and for his fidelity to the patriotic 
principles of the Republican party, of which he was an honored member. 

CHARLES LEWIS ARNOLD. 

It is probable that no similar organization in the Union Army had a 
larger proportion of very young members, ranging from sixteen to twenty 
years of age. than did Battery "A." And it is an undisputed fact that no 
soldiers in the army possessed more patriotic zeal and bravery, nor endured 
the hardships and privations of army life more unflinchingly and hardily 
than these same younger members. Chief among these was the subject 
of this sketch, Charles L. Arnold. He was born in Hazel Green, Wis., 
\pril 9, [844. His father was engaged in mining at this place. When 
Charles was three years old his family moved to Rockford, 111., and later on 
to the State of Xew York. When he was eight years -old his family settled 
in Toledo. Ohio. Here Charles acquired his early school education, re- 
moving to Chicago in iH^ij, which city has since been his home. He was 
clerking for a Hoard of Trade commission linn on South Water street at 
the breaking out of the war. Throwing up his position he enlisted in the 
batter_\- in Chicago July 28, [861, as private, in which position he served 
until the battery reached Young's Point, when he was appointed corporal. 
lb continued in the service with the battery during the entire three years 
term of enlistment, though he had one opportunity to leave it for a position 
in General Sherman's Adjutant ( leneral's office, when he was but nineteen 
years oi age, but he preferred to remain with the battery. While the 
battery was in camp on Walnut Hills, Vicksburg, President Lincoln notified 
< ieneral ( irant that there were six vacancies existing at West Point, from 
the State of Mississippi. That State being in rebellion, he was desirous of 
filling these with six worthy young soldiers from his victorious armies. 
This work of selection was turned over to ' ieneral Sherman. After a com- 
petitive examination at his headquarters, Charles L. Arnold was honored 
with the selection to represent the artillery branch of the service. These 
six selections were communicated to the entire army, in a general order, 
and they were instructed to get ready to go on a certain day. Meanwhile 
the names had been sent to President Lincoln, but it was discovered that 
onlv three vacancies existed instead of six, and the names were returned 



96 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

to Grant to select three from. He made the selection by shaking the nanus 
in his hat and taking the first three drawn. In the drawing poor Charley 
was left. General Sherman deprecated General Grant's method of selec- 
tion, saying he would have chosen one from each branch of the service, 
infantry, cavalry and artillery, in which case Arnold would have been one. 
General Sherman was much interested in his case, and wrote Governor 
Yates asking for his appointment at West Point or some "kindred institu- 
tion," which letter was probably lost, as it was never heard from. He served 
with the battery till the end of his term of enlistment, and was mustered out 
at Springfield in July, 1864, and returned to his home in Chicago. His 
business career since the war up to 1892 has been confined entirely to mer- 
cantile pursuits. Since the latter period he has dealt in real estate, mostly 
in his own property. Up to the great Chicago fire, Oct. 9, 1871, he had been 
employed by others as bookkeeper or cashier, except for a few months, 
when he was in partnership with his brother, in the commission business. 
Since the fire he has been in business, in various lines, both mercantile and 
manufacturing, on his own account, or associated with others in partnership 
or corporation, always in an active capacity as officer and director. The 
firm of Charles L. Arnold & Co., dealing in cheese and provisions on South 
Water street, existed for nine years, beginning Oct. 23, 1871, when he sold 
out and went West to take up a promising mining enterprise, becoming 
general manager. Associated with him in this were many prominent citi- 
zens of Chicago. Although he made money, the enterprise in the end did 
not meet expectations. He then organized a company to utilize an inven- 
tion of his own (then new) of refining cotton seed oil and compounding lard. 
It required the formation of three separate companies to get into successful 
operation, the first two failing to carry out the contract, from no fault of 
his or his process. The product of the third company found a market in all 
parts of the civilized world to the extent of $1,500,000 in value per year for 
six years. This business, with a number of others, was in 1891 merged into 
the Columbia Oil Co., with a capitalization of $1,000,000, of which Charles L. 
Arnold was elected Vice President and Manager. Later the Illinois Trust 
and Savings Bank was made trustee of $400,000 of the company's bonds. 
Failure to Moat them, the strenuous opposition of the American Cotton ( >il 
trust, and the financial storm then setting in all over the country forced the 
company into the hands of a receiver. He then turned his attention to real 
estate, considerable of which he had acquired in the meantime. His hTst 
efforts were very successful, but later, as the panic broke and money fought 
shy of real estate, it became a very serious proposition and, like many others, 
he is carrying a load that he wishes was not quite so heavy. He was happily 
married to Miss Eliza A. Rowan in 1865. They have had three children, one 
-on and two daughters; one daughter died in 1873. He resides at his own 
home at 1227 Michigan avenue. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 97 

ABB< )TT L. ADAMS. 

\l)hott L. Adams is a native of ECeene, X. II.. where he was born April 
20, 1842. and lived till ten years of age, when his parents came to Chicago, 
which has been his home since. 1 le was a clerk when the war broke out, and 
with his brother George E. enlisted in the battery April 10. [861, and 
served with the battery at Cairo, Ilk. and in Northern Missouri till August 4, 
1 So 1, when he was mustered out, his term of enlistment having expired. He 
re-enlisted as private in Chicago Hoard of Trade Battery July 22, [862, and 
served until the close of the war, in Kentucky. Tennessee, Georgia, Ala- 
bama and Mississippi in the Arm) of the Cumberland. Was wounded at 
the battle of Stone river December 31, [862. Commissioned Second Lien- 
tenant on June 22. 1805. and mustered out of the service July 3, [865. 

lie has been in the mercantile business since the war. and has never 
Keen married. 

(,!•;< )RGE EVERETT ADAMS. 

Hon. ( ieo. E. Adams, of Chicago, was one of the original three months 
soldiers, and served that term with the battery. He was born in Keene. X'. 
11.. June [8, [840, and lived there till [853, when he came to Chicago, 
which has since been his honu-. Me went East in [854 to school and fin- 
ished at Phillips Exeter Academy, entering Harvard in [856, and graduated 
from there in [860. He returned to Chicago and in [861 was a law student 
with the well-known firm of Scammon, McCagg X Fuller. He enlisted 
private in the battery with his brother. Abbott L., April [9, 1861. He 
was with the section of the batter_\ that was sent from Cairo to St. Louis 
and Mexico, Mo., and was mustered out by reason of expiration of his term 
of enlistment Aug. 4, [861. He taught school a year, then took- a term in 
the Law School at Cambridge, after which he began the practice of law in 
Chicago, and has since successfully followed that profession. lie is a 
public- spirited citizen, and has always taken an active interest in politics, 
and always has been a consistent and stanch Republican. He was elected 
to the State Senate in [880, and to Congress in 1882, serving faithfully and 
reditably until 1801. He married Miss Adele Foster and has two daugh- 
ters. Label and Margaret. 

( >L< )F BENS< >N. 

In far away north of Europe, in the Kingdom of Sweden, where the 
long nights of winter linger, Olof Benson was born Jul)' 14. 1836. He 
came to America when fifteen years of age, and acquired the English lan- 
guage and a fair knowledge of our institutions, etc., in a printing office at 
fiance, < Mho, where' he remained until eighteen. While circulator of the 
week!)' paper, the Defiance Democrat, he astonished the Democratic editor 




GEORGE E. ADAMS. 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER J " • ' A . " 99 



New Year's morning by distributing to the subscribers a New Year's 

address, in blank verse, composed and printed by himself, and brim full of 
"black Republican" sentiments, being inspired thereto by reading the story 
of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." then being published in the Washington Na- 
tional New Era. When nineteen he taught a public school in English in 
the backwoods near Defiance, Ohio. Here he demonstrated his fighting 
qualities by whipping a pupil nearly twice his size, for disobedience. This 
same boy, some ten years later, then a volunteer in the Sixty-eighth Ohio 
Infantry, visited, our batten- one day down in Alabama, inquired for Mr. 
Benson, thanked him for the whipping, and said it did him good, and 
helped to make a man of him. Comrade Benson thinks the reason so many 
at men came from < >hio is because they had the right kind of training at 
school. He came to Chicago when twenty, in the fall of 1856. His first 
work, prophetic of his future usefulness, was t<> assist in planting a large 
evergreen at the residence of the late S. S. Hayes, opposite Union Park, 
which was then a bare prairie. Jn 1857. the year of the money panic, being 
unable to obtain work in the printing business, he improved the opportu- 
nity to acquire a better education, and, entering the old Chicago High 
School, took a three years' course, graduating in [860, in the same class 
with Albert G. Lane and other old-time Chicagoans. When the tiring on 
Fort Sumter sounded the tocsin of civil war. none felt a keener interest in 
the issues at stake. Learning Sunday. April _> ! . [861, that Battery "A" was 
at the armor}, under orders to go to the front, without consultation with 
friends or previous preparation, he enlisted and went as he was, dressed in 
his Sunday clothes, with the boys, not one of whom he then knew. By his 
quiet, gentlemanly demeanor, and his earnest, patriotic zeal he was not long 
without friends, and soon acquired the friendship and esteem of the entire 
battery. He served with the battery three years and three months, par- 
ticipating in all its hardships, privations, battles, and glories, with the great- 
:s1 interest and enthusiasm. Without personal ambition for distinction, he 
is proud of having had the privilege of serving his adopted country by 
being, as he terms it. a "high private in the rear rank." He was mustered 
out at the end of his term of enlistment. July 23. 1864. and, returning to 
I 'hicago, immediately took up the profession of landscape gardener, and has 
been identified with that business ever since. Many of the gardenesque 
improvements of the city and State are the production of his skill. He per- 
sonally designed and superintended most of the improvements of Lincoln 
Park, of which he was superintendent and landscape gardener for seventeen 
years, from 1865 to 1882, working out the wonderful and artistic transforma- 
tions of barren sand dunes and stretches of frog ponds as if by magic into 
wide-spreading grass) -lades — broad floral terraces, and large, beautiful 
lakes, forming landscapes that have made Lincoln Park and Chicago fa- 

L.oTC, 




OLOF BENSON. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY •■./." loi 



mous all over the world. The improvements of the grounds at the Sol- 
dier's Home, Ouincy, 111., were also designed by Comrade Benson. He 
lives on the North Side, in Chicago, i< married and has six grown-up chil- 
dren, two sons and four daughters, all horn in Lincoln Park, of which he is 
justly proud, as he lived in the park during his connection with it. 



EDWARD BAGGOT. 

Although serving hut a short time in the battery, owing to poor health. 
the battery has always had a stanch and true friend, both during the war 
and. ever since, in Edward Baggot. He enlisted and went to the front with 
the battery April mj. [861. He was in the gun squad that hred the first shot 
in the war. that brought the steamer "Baltic" to land at Cairo. He was ap- 
pointed gunner of squad 5. when he was taken sick and placed in the hos- 
pital. The surgeon in charge advised and ordered his discharge for disa- 
bility, and he was sent home in June, lie was horn in Ireland Nov. 29, 
[836, and lived on a farm near Limerick- during his early childhood. He 
attended school at Ballangarry, and emigrated to the United States in 1853. 
and settled in Chicago. Here he learned the trade -of plumbing and gas- 
fitting with R. 1). McFarland, who was one of the leading men in that busi- 
ness in Chicago at thai time. After his discharge he returned to Chicago, 
and when he had recovered his health he engaged in the plumbing and gas- 
htting business and established a small business, and by untiring industry, 
push and enterprise laid the foundation for a large and prosperous institu- 
tion, of which he is still the general manager. His son. James E. Baggot, 
i- the able President of the company. They are the leading plumbers and 
gasfitters in Chicago, and have one of the largest and best-appointed es- 
tablishments in the West, at 171 Adams street. Although he has been a 
workman and employer ever since he arrived at man's estate, he boasts that 
he never took part in a strike but once in his life, and that was during his 
short term of service with the battery. On our arrival at Cairo, while the 
( ommissary Department was getting in working order, the battery boys 
were boarded at the St. Charles Hotel, where they lived high for two or 
three days. It was too good a thing to last long, so, when one day the tables 
were set in the back yard for the boys they all "struck." The rations, which 
were principally baked beans in large tin pans, were thrown up against the 
walls of the hotel and at one another. As is usually the case with strikers, 
they regretted their action later, as they went without rations for the next 
twenty-four hours, lie was elected President and Treasurer of the Battery 
Veteran Association for several years, and has always taken an active in- 
terest in his old comrades. He is a prominent member of the Sheridan 
Club, has been twice married, and has four sons and four grandchildren. 




EDWARD 1'.. AC GOT. 



JI I STORY OF BATTERY -\1." 10* 



HENRY E. BREWSTER. 

Henry E. Brewster is a native of the "Nutmeg" State, having been born 
in Rockville, Conn.. March 4, [839. lie came West to Illinois when thir- 
teen years old and settled in Chicago at twenty-one. lie was employed as 
a clerk in 1861 and left his position to enlist in the battery as private April 
[6. He with a number of others were mustered out at the end of the three 
months' term, on account of malaria, contracted during the service, lie. 
with others of the boys, volunteered to man a gun for a short time at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, standing guard over the rebel prisoners taken at Fort 
Donelson. He re-enlisted in January, [864, in Company E, Waterhouse's 
I lattery, and served until July 1 5, 18(15. when he was mustered out by general 
order of the War Department. He has followed the occupations of book- 
keeper, mechanic and artisan. 

He was married in 1867 to Lucretia F. < >aks, of Bellows Falls. Yt., who 
d in June, 1807. Me married Air-. Sarah A. Nason for his second wife 
July 28. 1898. and now resides at Marlboro. X. M. 

J< iHN PEMBER BROWN. 

Among the survivors of the battery who located in the Golden State is 
John P. Brown, now of Florin, California. lie was born April 13. 1839, in 
Sodus, X. Y. His family moved to Milan, < >hio, where his mother died. 
After the death of his mother he went on a sailing vessel. In 1850 he went 
to Chicago and was apprenticed as a sailmaker to Gilbert Hubbard &: ( o. 
lie served his time with that firm and was working for them when he en- 
listed, April [9, [861. lie re-enlisted in the United States service Jul}- 28, 
[861, enlisting as private, but after the battle of Fort Donelson was made 
artificer for the company. He served with the battery till the battle of 
Vicksburg. and was discharged March [o, 1863, for disability, which con- 
sisted of a fracture of the left humerus, and three ribs and both legs broken 
at the knee. He returned to Chicago and., after recovering sufficiently, fol- 
lowed expressing for ten years, when he moved to his present home and 
engaged in farming and fruit growing on a farm of thirty acres, which he 
Dwns. 1 le was united in marriage to Miss Katherine ( '.erhart in 1869. 1 hey 
' ave had four children, only two of whom survive. 

WILLIAM H. BAILEY. 

The city of "Brotherly Love" is claimed by Comrade Wm. IT. Baile\ as 
his place of nativity. He was born in the city of Philadelphia. December 
[9, 1840. but removed to Baltimore at an early age. Here his childhood 
and youth were spent in the way usual to city children and obtaining a com- 
mon school education. At the age of fifteen he removed with his parents to 




HENRY E. BREWSTER. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 105 



Chicago, where in due time he was apprenticed to the trade of painter, which 
he was following at the time oi his enlistment as private in Battery "A." in 
Chicago, April n,i. [861. .War the close of his three months' service at 
Cairo he was severely injured by being run over by a gun carriage while on 
drill. He was discharged with that portion of the company not re-enlisting 
For three years. Having full) recovered from his injury in August, 1862, 
he re-enlisted in the same company, serving with it and participating in all 
its engagements until the close of the war, in July, [865. Joining the Chi- 
cago Fire Department on his return home, he served two years in that or- 
ganization. He then obtained a position in the Chicago Post Office, and 
continued there until r886, when he was taken with the Western fever and 
went to the I Hack" Hills, in Dakota. Not realizing his expectations in this 
move, he returned to Chicago and again secured a position in the Post 
1 Iffice, where he is still engaged. He married Miss Kate Smith daughter 
>i one of the early settlers of Chicago, in [867. I lis family consists of seven 
children and < me grandchild. 

CHARLES C VLVIN BRIGGS. 

The city of Auburn, on the Androscoggin, in the far east State of Maine. 
is the native place of Charles C. Briggs. I le was born Sept. 24. 1840. His 
childhood and youth were spent at home and at school until sixteen years 
of age, when he went to sea. He afterwards drifted to the West, and located 
in Chicago. In the spring of r86i he was salesman for the extensive iron 
tinn of Hale & Aver. He enlisted in the battery in Chicago April [9, 
[861, and was appointed first sergeant.- He served with the battery until 
January. 1862, when he was mustered out for promotion in the navy, which 
he received as Master's Mate. Subsequently he was promoted to Acting 
Ensign, with battery at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Chickasaw 
Bayou. He resigned from the navy on account of disability, and received 
his final discharge March 31. [865. Since the war he has been engaged 
continuously in the iron and steel trade, and for the past twenty-six years 
has been with "The Jones & Laughlins, Limited." and located at Pittsburg, 
I 'a., where he resides. lie married Mis- Mary Gerry, by whom he has had 
six children. 

GE( >RGE M. BR< >WN. 

At least one prominent citizen and native of the "Buckeye" State can 
plead "not guilty" to the charge of having assisted that State to gain the 
reputation with which she is credited by all the newspaper paragraphers of 
scrambling for the Presidential nomination at every Republican convenl 
since Lincoln's time. Xot that Ohio need to be ashamed of her I 'residential 




JOHN P. BROWX. 



HI STONY OF BATTERY ./." 107 



sons in the persons of Grant, I Fayes, < rarfield and McKinley, but this state- 
ment is made to prove that all her influential citizens are nut grasping tor 
the highest political honors, as they are so generally accused of doing. 
George M. Brown was horn on a farm in Conneant, ( )hio, Feb. 24. 1830, 
and, except at short intervals, that city has been and still is his home. He 
was clerking in the commission house of Allen Howes, on South Water 
street, Chicago, in the spring of 1861, and left his position to enlist as 
"high private" and corporal in Battery "A.' - April 17, 1861. lie served 
three vears and three months with the batter}-, was in ever)- front line and 
every right or skirmish in which the battery was engaged. He has suc- 
cessfully followed the hotel, mail service and mining business, and is now 
engaged in banking, being President of the Conneant Mutual Loan Asso- 
ciation. It is sad to say Comrade Brown has never married, nor applied 
for a pension. He has never regretted his army experience. He is proud 
of his service and record, as well he may be. He made man}' a telling shot 
with a 10-pound Parrott gun, also with a 30-pounder. 1 lis squad, with him- 
self and Capt. Wood, had a miraculous escape from utter annihilation at the 
siege of Jackson, Hiss., as noted elsewhere in this history, lie had the 
honor and credit of stopping the steamer Vicksburg from escaping down 
the river from Vicksburg one night, which he did with his 30-pound Parrot. 
He also made a shot at Jackson. Miss., with a 10-pounder which knocked 
the trunnions off a 64-pound columbiad of the enemy. I le is in the enjoyment 
of good health and a comfortable competence, and has the best wishes of 
all his old comrades for their continuance. 

MARTIN A. BARTLES* >N. 

That the so-called "wild and woolly West" allured many of the vet- 
erans of the war at its close is a well-known fact. Battery "A" furnished 
its full share of citizens for the far West, prominent among whom is the 
subject of this sketch, 'Martin A. Bartleson. He was born in Macomb, Ilk, 
Jul}- 16, 1842, and lived at home, attending to the ordinary vocations of 
youth, until the spring of 1860, when he went to the Pike's Peak gold re- 
gions, where he remained till late in the autumn of the same year, when he 
returned, and shortly after went to Chicago, where he was living when the 
war broke out. attending Commercial College. He enlisted in the battery 
as private "in the front rank" April [9, [861, and served with the battery 
continuously and faithfully till mustered out at the end of his three years' 
enlistment, at Springfield. 111., July 2^, 1864. He was appointed corporal 
by Captain Wood April I, 1864. I le returned to Chicago soon after Ids dis- 
charge from the army, and was engaged in railroading for several years. 
He then took a course at the Medical and Dental College of St. Lotus, and 
after graduating went to Denver, Colo., and Santa Fe, Xew Mexico. From 




WILLIAM H. BAILEY. 



HISTOR \ ' OF BA TTER Y "A." 109 

[88] to 1888 he spent most of the time in San Francisco, New York, London 
and Paris, and then returned to Denver, where he remained until [895, 
practicing his profession. He then went to Chicago and engaged in a manu- 
facturing business. In 1896 he met with a severe accident in his factory, 
which ver) nearly resulted fatally, and from the effects of which he is still 
a sufferer to a greater or less extent, ilis mishap was a fall of several 
stories through an open elevator shaft, landing on top of the cage, break- 
ing his left arm and shoulder and dislocating his hi]) and knee. ITe will 
never fully recover from the injuries sustained. He was elected President 
of the Battery Veteran Association at its annual reunion in September, [896. 
I lis injury occurred soon after and he has not been able to attend any of its 
meetings since. He is now engaged in mining, and has interests in mines 
in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, with fair prospects ahead, which all his old 
comrades hope will materialize. Me was married March 6, [866, at Utica, 
X. Y., to Miss Abbie X. Ray, a niece of lion. \Y. II. Ray, Congressman 
from Illinois. They have no children. 

JER( )ME PATTERS( >N BRIGGS. 

Jerome I'. Briggs, a popular member of the battery, now deceased, was 
horn in ( >gdensburg, Xew York. Aug. 15. 1841. lie lived there, attending 
school, till thirteen years old. Me then came to Chicago with his parents. 
Me learned the trade of painter and glazier, and was so engaged when he 
enlisted in the battery on the first call for troops April [9, 1861. Me served 
as postillion tili mustered out at the end of his term of enlistment. July 23, 
[864, and returned to Chicago. Me had a beautiful gray team of horses, of 
which he was ver) proud, and which received his most careful attention. 1 [e 
had a narrow escape from being killed at one time, when he received a kick 
from his favorite horse, between the eyes and on the forehead. This was 
the only injury he received during Ids service. After the war he entered the 
employment of Mr. Hathaway, an old resident and prominent citizen of 
Chicago, and went with him ti> Texas to buy cattle. Me died of yellow 
fever at Galveston in April, 1872. His mother and sister, and brothers. 
Harvey D. Briggs and Wm. C. Briggs, reside in Chicago. 

SAMUEL WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD. 

A bright and honored light went out from the ranks of Battery "A" sur- 
vivors when Samuel W. Butterfield passed away at his pleasant home, 2>;6 
Elm street. Chicago. April 7, 1887. He was born in Cleveland. Ohio, July 
7, 1838. Ilis parents both died in that city, where he lived and attended 
chool until he grew to a young man. He worked for a while in his native 
city in a drug store. He came to Chicago and changed his business, en- 
gaging with the Putnam clothing store, where he was employed at the 




CHARLES C. BRIGGS. 



HISTOR \ ' OF JJA TTER Y 'A." Ill 

breaking out of the war. He enlisted as private in the battery in Chicago, 
July 28, [861. He was not naturally of strong physique, and the rigors of 
camp life proved too severe for his slender constitution, and, though the 
spirit was more than willing, he was reluctantly obliged to accept a discharge 
for disability in the spring of [862. Returning to Chicago he again took up 
the clothing business as soon as he was sufficiently recovered, and was in the 
employ of Browning. King ec Co., one of the largest retail clothing houses 
in the city, up to the time of his last sickness. For many years he was one of 
their most reliable and trustworthy employes, lie did not forget his com- 
rades in the held, and while the war lasted was ever active in looking after 
th< sick and wounded who were sent home to recover. He was one of the 
principal movers in the work of erecting our battery monument in Rose 
llill Cemetery. He married Miss Mice M. Eames, of South Farmingham, 
Mass. She was a devoted and faithful wife, caring tenderly for her delicate 
husband, but no care or nursing could prolong his life. He died beloved 
ati I respected by all who had the good fortune to know him. I le never had 
any children. His widow still lives in the comfortable home which, by his 
industry and frugality, with the help of his faithful wife, he had acquired 
a few years before his death. His remains were laid to rest in Graceland 
Cemetery. 

HENRY BURDICK. 

( hie of the youngest members of the battery was Henry Burdick. He 

was horn on a farm in Richmond, McHenry County. Illinois, in 1845. 
where he lived, attending the district schools and working on the farm, till 
lii^ enlistment in the battery July ! 1. [862. His father had enlisted in the 
battery several months before, and had left the farm in charge of Henry, but 
lie was young and full of patriotism, and his restlessness could only he 
quieted by joining the ranks of the army, so he naturally came to the bat- 
tery with his father, who felt that it would be useless to oppose his enlist- 
when he was determined to enlist, and felt that it was better to have him 
with him than to be among strangers in some other command. Although 
among the youngest he was also among the best and bravest, if there could 
he any distinction, and served with credit until mustered out with the com- 
pany at the close of the war in July, 1865, with rank of private, lie re- 
turned home after the war and followed the trade of brick-making for six- 
teen years. He then took up carriage painting, and is still working at that 
business in Woodstock'. 111. He married Mrs. Anna G. Hughes in 1804 
and has four children bv a former marriage and seven grandchildren. Those 
who have not seen him since the war will hud it hard to recognize the 
beardless hoy in the bewhiskered veteran seen in his picture, hut a strong 
mblance to the father is apparent. 




GEORGE M. BROWN. 



HIS TOR ) ' OF BA TTER Y <-A" 1 1 3 

JAG >B CLINGMAN. 

Jacob Clingman was horn in Centre County, Pennsylvania, in April, 
[838. 1 lis early years were spent in the place of his birth, but for the greater 
portion of his life Chicago was his home. When the war broke out he was 
engaged in the clothing business with his brother William. They were 
one of the leading firms in that line at that time. He threw tip a good posi- 
tion to answer his country's first call for men, and enlisted in the battery, 
April 10, 1861, re-enlisted July 10. 1861, and served the full term of his en- 
listment, three years and three months, with rank of first sergeant, and was 
mustered out July 23, [864. I le was in every engagement and skirmish, and 
took part in every march with the battery during his service. He was al- 
ways ready for any duty, and never flinched or faltered in performing it. 
lie was never wounded, but his hearing was very much impaired by the 
frequent conenssions of his gun during some of the heavy engagements: 
After the war he returned home and engaged in the grocery business, which 
lie followed ii]» to the time of his death, which took place Dec. 3, [888. He 
was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, many of his old comrades assisting in 
tin' last sad rites, lie was married to Miss Mary Whitney, who survives 
him. and now lives at Wilmette, 111. They had a daughter and one grandson. 

EDWIN D. CLARK. 

Another comrade is missing; he will answer no more at roll call. Edwin 
D. Clark, who went to the front as one of the first to aid in defense of his 
country's flag, and to put down an uncalled for and unholy rebellion, de- 
parted this life at his late home in Chicago, on Feb. 15, 1895, after an illness 
oi several weeks. He was born in Greenfield, Mass., Nov. 16, 1833. an< ^ was 
in only son. He came West in 1854, and settled at Richmond, 111., a year or 
two previous to the breaking out of the war. In December, i860, he mar- 
ried Miss Henrietta L. Boutelle, of Richmond, 111. His occupation in 1861 
was that of sailor on the lakes, with headquarters at Chicago. ( )n the 12th 
oi < >ctober, 1861, he bade good-by to his young wife and joined Battery "A." 
First Illinois Light Artillery, then in the field. When he reached his com- 
mand at Paducah, Ky., he found it preparing for active service, so that from 
the time of his first entrance into the army his life as a soldier was one of 
exposure, hardship and peril. He took an active part in all the work of the 
battery during his connection with it. On the 22(1 of July, 1863, while in 
the line of duty near Jackson. Miss., he. with ten of his comrades, was taken 
prisoner, but succeeded in making his escape, and was the first to return 
from the expedition to report the capture of nine of his comrades. Again, 
the 22d of July, 1863. in the battle of Atlanta, Ga.. he, with several others 




MARTIN A. BARTLESOX. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 1 1 5 

of the battery, was surrounded by the enemy, and again fortunately made his 
escape. In this battle he had command of a section of the battery, which he 
handled with great courage and skill. He was one of the coolest and 
bravest men in action, and was always to be found where duty called him. 
lie participated in eighteen battles and numerous skirmishes, marching 
thousands of miles, never complaining or wavering, but nobly performing 
his duties as a private, and later as a sergeant in charge of a gun and caisson. 
His comrades knew and appreciated his true worth, whether in battle, on 
the march, in camp or bivouac. Of those who went with him from Mc- 
Henry Count}- but one. Win. H. Cowlin, survives. He was mustered out 
( let. 12, 1864, at the expiration of his term of enlistment. Though he passed 
all through the war uninjured, he lost an arm July 4. 1871, while assisting to 
fire a national salute, by the premature discharge of a gun. He was em- 
ployed at Lincoln Park for many years as clerk and bookkeeper. His widow 
survives him and lives in Chicago. He left two children, a son, Walter R., 
and daughter, Cora E. Clark. Walter served a short term as assistant engi- 
neer on board the United States steamer "Bennington" during the late 
Spanish war. Comrade Clark was an honored member of the Masonic order. 
A. ( 1. U. YV., ( j. A. R., and the Chicago Union Veteran Club. Members 
of the orders to which he belonged escorted his remains to Richmond, 111., 
where they were laid to rest. 

JOHN HENRY CLARKE. 

< hie of the survivors of six months' rebel imprisonment, along with a 
term of hard, active service in the battery, was John H. Clarke, lie was 
among the foraging party that was captured at Jackson, Miss., and endured 
with the others the suffering and hardships of six months of captivity, so 
vividly portrayed in another chapter, by Comrade \\ . II. Young, one of the 
number. He was born at Mt. Jackson, Pa., July 8, 1*44. His childhood 
and youth were mostly spent in the town of New Castle. Pa., and his early 
education was acquired in the public schools there. When the war broke 
out lie was living on a farm with his uncle. Dr. Frank Henry, near Areola. 
111., from which place he enlisted in the battery in the fall of 1861, as private. 
1 te was mustered out at the end of his term of enlistment, < )ct. 1 ), 1864. At 
the >iege of Atlanta, some five days after his term of enlistment had expired, 
he lost his left arm near the shoulder. After the close "of the war he re- 
mained in the South, and filled the responsible position of superintendent of 
the Clen Mary coal mines in Tennessee. On Jan. 5, 1890. he met with an 
accidental death at Clen Mary, being killed by a runaway team. He was 
married to Miss M. E. Logan, who survives him, and lives at Poland. Ohio, 
to which place his remains were brought and buried. They had no children. 




JEROME P. BRIGGS. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 117 

CHARLES EDWIN CLARK. 

The first eleven years of the life of C. E. Clark were spent in Boston, the 
city of his birth. He was horn Jan. 13, 1843. He came to Chicago in his 
twelfth year, and that city has since been his home. He was working at his 
trade, that of painter, when the war broke out. He enlisted in the battery, 
as private, in Chicago, in July, 1861, and served till the expiration of his 
term of service, being' mustered out in July, 1864. He worked in various 
public offices in Chicago until nine years ago, when his health gave out, and 
he has been in poor health since, and is now at the Hospital for Consump- 
tives, at Dunning, 111. He has never married. The long years of his sick- 

- exhausted his accumulated earnings, and his only income now is that 
received from the government in his pension, with which Uncle Sam re- 

nbers his disabled defenders to a greater or less degree. 

NATHAN THOAI \S COX. 

I hie of the three members of the battery, who for many years was re- 
ported on the Veteran Association records as "dead,"' but afterwards turned 
ii]> as "a very lively corpse." as the boys used to say in the army, was Comrade 
Nathan T. Cox, who is now living in Denver, Colo., which has been his 
home for the last eight years. He was born Jan. 6, 1840, on a farm in Adams 
ounty, Illinois, ten miles from Quincy. His childhood and youth were 
spent on the farm working from early spring till late fall, and going to the 
primitive country schools (hiring the winter. His father died when lie was 
nil twelve years old, and his mother died about four years later. The) 
were poor, the farm was sold, and the family scattered. He worked among 
die neighboring farmers for a while, and finally attended a Methodist semi- 
nar) at Quincy a couple of terms. In the fall of [860 he went to Chicago 
and found work in a restaurant, and became acquainted with Frank Greene, 
a photographer, a brother of Comrade W. C. Greene, and went with him to 
learn the trade, and consequently was enlisted as an "artist" by occupation. 
While working for Greene, the Presidential election occurred, and he cast 
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, when he lacked two months of being of 
age. He enlisted as private in the battery April [6, 1801, and served three 
months at Cairo, "drilling, log-rolling, cleaning drill ground, fighting 
mosquitoes and malaria." When he enlisted he thought it was for the war. 
but when three months were tip he discovered his time was also up. and on 
July [6 he re-enlisted with the company for three years. He was one of the 
expedition that went to Mexico, Mo., returning to Cairo shortly before our 
departure from that place to occupy Paducah, Ky. At Paducah he was 
taken sick with typhoid pneumonia, and was in the hospital there until dis- 
charged for disability Jan. 28, 1862. After his discharge he returned to 
Adams and Pike Counties, where his relatives lived. After regaining suffi- 




SAMUEL W. BUTTERFIELD. 



HIS TOR J ' OF BA T TER }'••./." 119 

cient strength to work, he again went to farming, which lie followed until 
he moved to Denver, having lived in I Hindis, Missouri and Colorado. He 
was married to Miss Mary A. Keel Feb. 15. 1863, and she has been his 
faithful partner and helpmeet ever since. Her guiding star has been duty to 
home and friends, and she has been an active and earnest worker in the 
Woman's Relief Corps ranks. They have three sons and one married 
-laughter, living on a homestead in Northern Nebraska. They have two 
grandchildren. When he went to Denver lie lived in Barnum, one ^\ the 
suburbs, and was Town Clerk of that suburb nearly two years, when it be- 
came a part of the city of Denver. Then he took up shoemaking and cob- 
bling until June, 1898. when he was appointed .Assistant Adjutant General 
of the < r. A. R., Department of Colorado and Wyoming. His time will ex- 
pire thi> spring. He does not expect a reappointment. He is "poor but 
honest," and has no income except a $6 per month pension and what he 
earns, but coming of righteous parents, and profiting by their precepts and 
example, he believes in a sure promise for the future. 

H< >RACE W. CHASE. 

No member of Battery "A" enjoyed to a greater extent the confidence 
and esteem of his comrades in arms than Horace W. Chase. He was born 
Jul_\- 1, 1835, m Hunter, Green Count)', X. Y., and was there reared and 
educated, receiving during youth a fair knowledge of the lumber business 
in the yards and mills of his father. Charles (/base. His ancestors were from 
Massachusetts, of an old colonial family. He came to Chicago and was 
tendered the position of foreman in the lumber yards of Larned & Chase, 
the junior member of the firm being the elder brother of Horace W. He 
iccepted the responsible position and at once entered upon his duties and 
thus continued until 1861. faithfully discharging his duties and acquiring 
much practical knowledge of the lumber trade in the bustling and enter- 
prising market of Chicago. In fact, the foundation of his knowledge of the 
lumber business was gained during this period, though the ripening and 
fruiting seasons of his energetic life were yet to come. When the govern- 
ment was plunged into war and all patriotic men were urged to come for- 
ward and maintain the Union of the States, the stirring call met with a 
quick, responsive answer from Horace, and April 19, t86i, he promptly 
tendered his services as a private, and enlisted in Company "A," Chicago 
Light Artillery, served three months, then he re-enlisted for three years 
and served with his command until July 16. 1864. when he was mustered 
out at Springfield, Ilk, and honorably discharged from the service. He 
served in all the engagements of the battery and filled the important position 
of Commissary of the company all through the service, in a highly creditable 
and satisfactory manner. He at once returned to Chicago after receiving 







HENRY BURDICK. 



HIS TOR i ' OF ISA TTER Y "A." 121 



hi> discharge, and purchased a small interest in the lumber firm of Howard 
& Chase, at the same time assuming the duties of a responsible position with 
the firm, for which he drew a salary until 1867, when he became the junior 
member of the firm of D. F. Chase & Brother, with yards at Halsted street 

bridge. A strong, yet safe and conservative business was conducted by the 
brothers from 1867 to 1872. when D. F. Chase withdrew from the firm and 
I ). S. Pate was admitted as a partner, and the style of the company became 
Chase & Pate. May 1. [892, Mr. Chase withdrew from the firm and retired 
from active business. I Ie was one of Chicago's most public-spirited citizens, 
and heartily co-operated in all undertakings that were for the good of the 
city, and especially of his old comrades of the Batteiw Association. Mr. 
Chase was a man of simple tastes and domestic habits, warm-hearted and 
generous, enjoying his family and home. His life was full of earnest and 
valuable exertion, and it seems to all who knew him to be a strange dis- 
pensation of Providence that he should have endured three years and three 
months of the dangers, privations and exposure of army life unscathed, and 
passed through thirty-two years of active and successful business life, with 
the brightest prospects for a comfortable and pleasant old age. to Ik- stricken 
down suddenly, as he was. from a malignant carbuncle on the neck, attacking 
the brain. Death claimed him Sept. 6, 1896, after an illness of but a week. 
He resided in a pleasant and commodious home at 3226 South Park avenue, 
and attended Rev. Dr. Thomas' People's Church. He was a Master Mason, 
was a stanch Republican, a member of Ceo. H. Thomas Post, No. 5. G. 
V. R.. and belonged to Battery "A" Veteran Association, of which he was 
and had been Treasurer for many years. 1 Ie was also President of the "Cairo 
Expedition Survivors' Association." He was first married in 1872 to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Tebbetts, b) whom he had two children. Volney H. and Eleanor 
I''.. ili> wife died < )ct. 23, 1883. In March. 1885, he wedded Miss Anna L. 
< Mlin. a native of Dayton, ( )hio, who, with the two children, survive him. 
His funeral was largely attended by his business associates, friends and old 
army comrades. In his death the city lost one of her most valuable citizens, 
his family a kind protector, husband and father, and his memory will always 
be cherished by those who knew him well. 

M( >RRIS A. CHITTENDEN. 

Morris A. Chittenden was born Feb. 8, 1841. at Carthage. X. V.. where 
he lived till 1855, when he moved with his parents to Park Ridge, 111., a 
suburb of Chicago. After his school days were over he served his time with 
his father at the cooper's trade. He was working as a carpenter and builder 
at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted as private in the battery at Chi- 
cago the latter part of June, 1861, and was mustered into the three years' 
service the 16th of Tulv following. He served his full time, first as can- 




JACOB CLINGMAN. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY 1> A." 123 



nonier, then as postillion, and was mustered out at Springfield, 111., July 25, 
1864. He, with Harry Spaulding, was one of the boys that helped to save 
squad two's gun and get it off the field at Shiloh. amidst a hot fire of mus- 
ketry at close range. After his discharge from the army lie followed the 
trade of carpenter and builder till April, 1889, when, losing the sight of his 
right eve from the effects of an accidental shot in the forehead at .Memphis, 
when Win. Kirk discharged the gun loaded with canister in the camp by 
mistake. He was in danger of losing the other eye. and was obliged to give 
up work requiring its steady, close use. He moved to Kansas and located on 
a small fruit and vegetable farm three miles southwest of Atchison, where 
he still lives. He married IN 1 iss Emma J. Dunphey, of Chicago, June 16. 
1867, and has four children, two boys and two girls, and they are living a 
life of quiet and contentment in their comfortable Western home. 

WILLIAM 11. C( )WLIN. 

The city of Tiverton. Devonshire, England, is the native place of 
William H. Cowlin, one of the youngest and most esteemed member- of 
the battery. He was born Nov. 19, 1844. and lived in his native city until 
ten years of age. He then came with his parents to America, who settled 
in Chicago, where they resided for three years. He attended the public 
schools a portion of this time. From Chicago the family moved to Franklin- 
ville. 111., where William H. partly learned the shoemaker's trade with his 
father. When he was fifteen years of age he started out for himself and 
began clerking in a boot and shoe store in Woodstock, at which he was 
engaged at the breaking out of the war. Though but a little over seventeen 
years old, he enlisted in the battery at Woodstock, Feb. 3. 1862. He was 
with the battery from the time of his enlistment until taken prisoner at 
Atlanta. Ga., in July, 1864. Until that time he was never absent a day. nor 
in hospital a moment, and was in every engagement and skirmish, as can- 
nonier, being Xo. 3 in squad 6. with the exception of during the battle of 
Shiloh, when he was put into squad 4 and given the position of No. 2, which 
he filled till the close of that battle, having never drilled with the battery but 
twice before. When captured at Atlanta he. with seventeen other comrades. 
was taken to Andersonville prison. He was reported as badly wounded. 
While fourteen of those taken prisoner with him were exchanged in less than 
six weeks, he, with Thomas Wilcox, of the battery, was held a prisoner in 
Andersonville and other rebel prisons till the close of the war. He was dis- 
charged to date from June 12, 1865, by order of the War Department mus- 
tering out all who had been prisoners of war, but he was not furnished with 
his discharge, and was still in the service till August 5. 1865. For about 
six months after his discharge he was an invalid from the effects of his prison 




ED. D. CLARK. 



HISTOR Y OF BA TTER ) " • \ 4. " 12 5 



life, i te then engaged in the grocery business with a partner, and was doing 
well, but on account of continued ill health he was obliged to give it up and 
sell out his interest. He was confined to his home for three months, and. 
when able, engaged in the photograph business with a practical pho- 
tographer for a partner, at Jefferson, Wis. His poor health continued, and 

in less than a year he was forced to give it up. Returning to W Istock in 

3i 9, he established himself in the boot and shoe business in that city, and. 
with partners, continued it for twelve years, doing an extensive and pr = 
perous business. During the last three years he was in the firm he sold 

g Is "ii the road for the extensive boot and shoe firm of Selz, Schwab 

& Co., of Chicago, his territory embracing Northern [llinois and several 
counties in Southern Wisconsin, lie had never recovered his health and 
was compelled to quit traveling and close out his interest in the store. For 
nearly two years he was confined to his home, much of the time bedridden. 
While still an invalid his wife, win mi he married in October, 1869, died, after 
an illness of several months. She was Miss Susan M. Whitson, a sister of 
Comrade Oscar Whitson, of our battery. Three sons were left him by this 
marriage, two of whom are married. He has four grandchildren.' His 
youngest son, Oscar, served in Company "G," Third Illinois tnfantry, all 
through the late war with Spain. That he is a "chip of the old block," or, 
more elegantly speaking, a "worthy son of a noble sire," will be seen when 
it can be said of him he was never absent from his command nor sick a day 
during his more than eight months' service, several month- of which were 
spent in Porto Rico. 

The condition of Comrade Cowlin's health convinced him that he could 
never again take up active work or business requiring any physical exertion, 
and. being determined to do something to occupy his time, and help support 
his family, he began studying the pension laws, and those pertaining to 
ither government business, and in less than two years was admitted to prac- 
tice in all the government bureaus in Washington. He has been very suc- 
=sful in this profession, and has worked up an extensive business, reaching 
into nearly every State in the Union, although his old disability, contracted 
at Andersonville, still clings to him. and at different times has nearly cost 
him his life. His office is at his residence, and has been since engaging in 
the pension business, and it is well known, far and near, as "Win. H. Cow- 
lin's War Claim Agency." Sept. 30, 1888, he married a second time to Eliza 
Boutelle, of Kensett. Iowa, a cousin of his first wife. They have one daugh- 
ter, four years old. 

He takes a deep interest in Grand Army matters, and has ably and 
vigorously conducted the "Veterans' Column" in the Woodstock Sentinel. 
the leading Republican newspaper of McHenry Comity, for fifteen years, a 
voluntary task, which few in his physical condition would care to assume. 




NAT H AX T. COX. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 127 



JOHN T. CONNELL. 

The light of day first shone upon the eyes of John T. Connell, at Water- 
town, X. Y., Dec. 1. 1832. After obtaining a school education he began 
clerking in a store, and continued until [854, when he went to Chicago and 
worked as shipping clerk for A. T. Spencer & Co. (Western Transportation 
Co.). He was working for I. J. Mice in the spring of [861, and was down 
town after goods when the news came of the assault on the Massachusetts 
tr< " »ps in Baltimore, and was one of the first to enlist in old Battery "A" when 
the roll was opened. He served three months, then re-enlisted Jul}- [6, 1SO1. 
for three years. He was with the battery in every engagement while he was 
in the service, including the famous "Calloway March," mentioned in the 
history. He. with Church, Hoffman and Young, while in camp at Paducah, 
built a comfortable brick house for their squad, Connell acting as boss brick- 
layer, while the others mixed the mortar and carried the hod. They had 
nil more than settled themselves in their new quarters, prepared to take 
comfort, when cam]) was broken up and we took the field for Forts Henry, 
fieiman, Donelson, etc. During the engagement at Fort Donelson, Moses 
Hawks, who was thumbing on the same gun with Connell, was hit on the 
inn with a spent ball and disabled. Connell took his place during the re- 
mainder of the engagement. They were using double charges of canister 
with telling effect. Connell suggested to Captain Wood that their canister 
would not last much longer, and he ordered a shrapnel and canister for each 
A with fuse of shrapnel cut close. Toward the last of the fight they 
sed tiring for a moment. When orders were given for action, Fred 
Church sang out, "Load!" John Steele, Xo. 1, replied, "There is a charge 
in." Church thought he said. "They are charging us," and answered "Let 

them charge and he d : load." So down went another charge, and the 

n suit of firing this triple charge was a graceful somersault 1>\ mosl of the 
m;n squad, and Comrade Connell has been totally deaf in his right ear ever 
since, and he is quite hard of hearing with his left. When the battery reached 
Memphis. General J. D. Webster was appointed commander of the post. 
lie sent an order for Comrade Connell to come to his headquarters, and 
pointed him his private secretary, which position he held until General 
Webster was superseded by General Hovey. He continued with General 
Hovey until Colonel D. C. Anthony was appointed Provost Marshal, and 
he was his deputy until the battery had orders to move, first on the Cold- 
water expedition, and down the Mississippi later. Connell left the office 
without orders, and with a good horse rode after, caught up with and joined 
die l lattery. ( >n the return of the batter) to Memphis from the expedition 
lie returned to the office, but made frequent visits to the battery cam]). The 
tery boys had all doors of the Provost Marshal's office open to them 
while Comrade Connell was in charge, and none of them abused the privi- 




HORACE W. CHASE. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY ' A" 129 



lege. When the battery went up to Arkansas Post Comrade Council was in 
no condition for hard service, and Captain Wood ordered him to remain 
on the boat, but when the last caisson went off the boat he was on it and 
took part in the fight the next day. At Vicksburg he had charge of the detail 
that was sent to the landing to get the guns of a new battery that were as 
signed to our company 1>\ General Sherman, and bring them into cam]). 

\fter being mustered out as corporal at Springfield, 111., his three years' en- 
nent having expired, he visited a short time in Chicago, then went to his 

ild home in New York, intending to return to Chicago, but was persuaded 
b) his parents, brother- and sisters to remain, which he did, until [884. 
I luring this time he was engaged in a store, in insurance business, and on 
the road six years selling dry goods, etc. In 18S4 he came West, and has 
led at Grand Island. Neb., since, and has been engaged in the grocery 
and real estate business. He married Miss Gertrude llorr. in Carthage, X. 
Y.. Ian. 9, [866. The_\- have no children. Mr-. Council is an active worker 
in tlie Woman's Relief Corps in the State of Nebraska. She has served as 
Department Treasurer four years, Department Secretary one year, and De- 
partment President one year, Deputy Counselor one year and member of 
National Executive Board one year, a worthy helpmeet to a noble, patriotic 
iand. 

THADDEUS STEVENS CLARKSON. 

< me of the most esteemed members of Battery "A" is Thaddeus S. 
1 larkson. He was born at Gettysburg, Pa., April 26, 1840. When eight 
rs old he moved to near Antietam, Md. He was educated at College of 
lames. Washington County, Md.. near Antietam. graduating in 1857. 
when he moved to Chicago, and became a resident of the future great city 
oi the United State-. I le was clerking in a commission house at the break- 
ing out of the war. but threw up his position and enlisted in Battery "A." 
April 16, [861, in which battery he served as private, corporal and sergeant, 
nlisting July [6, [861, for three years. Dec. 1, 1801, he was honorably 
harged to accept a commission as First Lieutenant and Adjutant in the 
Ihirteenth Illinois Cavalry. Me was promoted in November, [863, to 
Major of the Third Arkansas Cavalry, and resigned in December, 1^04, 
Since the close of the war he has been in active business in Nebraska. He 
was appointed postmaster at Omaha by President Harrison, and served 
very acceptably from 1890 to [895. Genial, warm-hearted and brave, he 
naturally takes a great interest in his old comrades, and the Grand Army 
>t the the Republic. He was Department Commander of Nebraska in [890, 
[unior Vice Commander-in-chief in 1891, and was elected Commander-in- 
chief at the St. Paul, Minn., National Encampment, in September, [896, 
serving until September, 1897. In all these position- he showed remarkable 







MORRIS A. CHITTENDEN. 



HIS TOR Y OF RA1 TER Y "A." [U 



executive ability, and when the Trans-Mississippi and International Expo- 
sition was organized in [898 he was chosen as ( General Manager, the exposi- 
tion continuing from June to November. He was married Nov. 11, 1862, at 
Chicago. 111., to Alary B. Matteson, and they live with one son in Omaha, 
Neb. They have three daughters and five grandchildren. He is in the 
enjoyment of perfect health, and a long life of happiness and prosperity is 
wished for him by all his old comrades and associates. 

JAMES F. CROCKER. 

( >ne of the "older boys" of the battery is James F. Crocker, a native of 
Massachusetts, and who is now an inmate of the new Soldier's Home at 
Danville. 111. lie was horn in Nantucket, < )ct. 1, 1829, where he lived until 
eleven years old, when he moved with his father to Cayuga County, New 
York, where he had purchased a farm. He lived at home, working summers 
and attending the district school winters, until eighteen years of age. He 
was then apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade, at which he was working 
w I 1 n the war broke out. He enlisted in the battery as private, in August, 
1861, at Cairo, having first served three months in the Twelfth Illinois In- 
fantry, and remained with it until the expiration of his term of enlistment in 
August, [864. He worked ;il his trade after the war, when, losing his wife 
and becoming broken down in health, he went to the Soldier's Home in 
Milwaukee, where he remained until the opening of the new home at Dan- 
ville. He has a grown son and daughter living. Through a similarity in 
names. Comrade Crocker was reported by the authorities of the Soldiers' 
Home at Quincy, Ilk, as dead, and suitable memorial resolutions were 
passed by our Veteran Association, but he turned up alive and well. 

GEORGE COOPER. 

< ieorge Cooper was born at ( Hcott, near Lockport, N. Y., in [834. He 

lived in his native town till nine years of age. His father was then elected 
Sheriff of Niagara County, and moved to Lockport. After his father's term 
of office expired, he purchased and moved onto a farm, and George worked 
or, the farm summers and attended school winters. After a few years of 
farming his father sold the farm and again moved to Lockport and engaged 
in the grocery business. George clerked for his father till he came West, 
settling in Chicago, entering the service of Long John Wentworth, with 
whom he was engaged at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in Bat- 
tery "A" April 21, [861, and served three months, when he was mustered 
out. He was a popular bailiff in the Cook County courts for many years. 
lit- died in Chicago, Dec. 17. 1887. He married Miss Romelia Sanders, June 
28. 1866. who survives him. 





WILLIAM H. COW LIN. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A" lH 



ENOCH COLBY, JR. 

The subject of this sketch is one of the most reliable and well-known 
members of the battery. He was born in Camptonville, X. IL Dec. 6. 1S40. 
where he lived till May, 1854, when his father moved with his family to Port 
Hope, Canada West, remaining there one year, during which time Enoch 
worked with his father building railroad bridges. In May, 1855, tne famih 
came to Illinois, where they have since lived. He was working on a farm at 
Vrcola when the war broke out, and enlisted as private in the battery at 
Cairo, Aug. 1, 1861. He re-enlisted as veteran volunteer at Bellfont, Ala.. 
Jan. 1, 1804. was appointed quartermaster sergeant in July following. In 
September he was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the batterv. and in 
May. [865, was made First Lieutenant. I Ie has a record of service of which 
in) old soldier might well be proud. He never missed a march, skirmish or 
hat tie in which the battery took part from his enlistment to the close of the 
war. was never wounded or sick, nor an hour in hospital, during his entire 
service. He was mustered out in Chicago at the close of the war. July 10, 
[865. lie married .\Ii>- Amelia A. Hawley April 2. 1865. while home on 
veteran furlough, and they now live in a snug, comfortable home at 64 37th 
street, Chicago. They have no children, and, as he says, "never had any, 
therefore have no grandchildren." He has been principally engaged in the 
grain business since the war, as foreman of elevators, buying grain, etc., 
and for ten years prior to 1893 was State ( irain Inspector in Chicago. 

JOHN D. DYER. 

Very few of the members were born south of Mason and Dixon's line. 
Prominent among those that were is John D. Dyer. He was born in Spring- 
1 Id, ky.. April 25, [838, and lived there till thirteen years old. when he went 
t<> Newport. R. I., where he remained at school four years, and came to 
Chicago in 1855. which city has since been his home, excepting a few years 
in DeKalb County. He enlisted April 19. 1861, in Chicago, and re- 
l nlisted July 16. 1861, for three years. I Ie had the lead team on the caisson of 
squad vn<; for the entire latter term, and he is justly proud of his service, which 
ivas always promptly and fearlessly performed. He was mustered out at the 

of his term of enlistment July 23. [864. He was married to Miss Abbie 
E. Wood, of DeKalb Count}', in November, 1867. They have two sons. 
' ' rge W. and William IL. worthy and industrious young men, who are 
""\\ engaged in the market and grocery business with their father at 1267 
Easl Ravenswood Park, Chicago. At the close of the war John was check 
clerk for six months in the city, for the American Express Company, then 
was messenger on the road for the same company five years, was salesman 
for A. M. Thomson. Western Coffee Mills, about four years, and on a farm 




JOHN T. CONXELL. 



HISTOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." M 5 



in DeKalb County, and in a market at Sycamore ten years. He is hale and 
irty, and enjoys the companionship of his old comrades as well as he did 
in the old war days, and is an active member in the J lattery Veteran Associa- 
tion. 

JAMES M. DUSENBERRY. 

lames M. Dnsenherry is a native of of Michigan, and was born in 1840. 
He came West when a child, and lived on a farm at Waukegan, 111., and at- 
tended the academy there until about fourteen years of age, when he went 
into the grocery business, and continued in it until [861. The war fever 
growing strong, and having an opportunity to dispose of his store, he sold 
and enlisted in the three months' service in Captain Ennis' Infantry Com- 
y, at Waukegan. The company was sent to Springfield, 111., where he 
was appointed orderly sergeant, and was sergeant of the guard at the ar- 
s< nal during the three months' service. He then enlisted in the battery, 
serving three years, holding every position on the gun, and was mustered 
out after the fight at Atlanta, at the expiration of his term of enlistment. 
At the close of the war he came to Chicago, where he worked in the building 
of the postofnce for four years, in the capacity of mechanical engineer. 1 te 
1 to Xew York in 1X74. and went into the electric lighting business with 
the Fuller Electric Co., and was with them ten years. At the expiration of 
that time, he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and bought the Richelieu Hotel, which 
he refitted and furnished, and was its proprietor for fourteen years. lie has 
a wife, but no children, and is now located in San Francisco, Cal., where he 
loing well. Mis address is 525 Front street. San Francisco, Cal. 

ALBERT DIXSON. 

The Empire State can claim Albert Dixson as her native son. I le was 
born in East Rush, Monroe County, Xew York, August 22. 1830. A por- 
tion of his childhood was spent in Rush and with an uncle in Flint, Mich. 
He came to Chicago in 1853, remaining till 1856, when he went to Califor- 
nia. The bustle and activity of Chicago being more to his liking, he returned 
there in 1859, an( l followed his trade, which was the painting business. He 
enlisted as private in the battery in Chicago Aug. 22, 1861, and served faith- 
fully with the company, participating in all its battles, until Dec. .23, 1803. 
when he was discharged for disability at Memphis. Tenn. Recovering his 
health, he re-enlisted as private in the Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry in 
[864, and was afterwards appointed quartermaster sergeant, and served with 
that command till the close of the war. He has been engaged in the painting 
business since the war. He was married to Miss Mary A. Young Sept, 21. 
1805. She died at Palmyra, X. Y., Jan. 12, 1897. They had no children. He 
is now living a widower at 321 North Clinton street, Rochester, X. Y. 




MRS. JOHN T. CONNELL. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 1 1)7 



JAMES B. DUTCH. 

During the last year of the war Battery "A" was composed of members 
of Batteries "A" and "B," who, at the time of the mustering out of the three- 
year men. had only served about two years, thus forming what was known 
as the "consolidated," or new. Battery "A." Among those who joined from 
Battery "B" was James I!. Dutch, lie enlisted in Taylor's Battery "B" in 
Chicago, Aug. 5, 1862. as private, was promoted to sergeant, and after con- 
solidation was elected Lieutenant, and served about one year, or till the close 
of the war. being mustered out July 10. 1865. The consolidated battery did 
-nine hard fighting, and had its first severe engagement at Atlanta only ten 
davs after it was organized. They went into the fight with only two officers. 
( Ine was killed, and the other, with twenty-five men, was captured and sent 
•> 1 \ndersonville. Four of their guns were captured, but were afterwards re- 
taken. They immediately drew a new battery and had another sharp engage- 
ment with the rebels on July 28, only six days after. James was born in New 
York City June 1, 1839. He lived in his native city until eight years old, 
when he came to Chicago, which city has since been his home. In 1861 he 
was captain of a tugboat in the harbor of Chicago. After the war he returned 
home and began business on the Board of Trade, at which he is still en- 
caged. He married Miss Mary II. Stout and has two children. His home is 
at 6637 I'arnell avenue, Chicago. 

J< MIX BATTERSBY DAY. 

The United States Volunteer Army, during the civil war. contained no 
more patriotic and loyal a native son than John 1'.. Day, a native of Dublin, 
Ireland, but a full-blooded, ardent American citizen by adoption. He was 
1" irn 1 )ec. 2^, 1842. His days of boyhood and youth were spent in New York 
\ and Gambier, Ohio, attending school. He came to Chicago and was 
clerking in the postoffke at the time of his enlistment as private in the bat- 
tery, July 16, 1861. He served three years, faithfully and creditably, and was 
mustered out July 24, 1864. He was a clerk for some time after the war, but 
latterly has cultivated a farm in Bedford, X. Y., where he lives in comfort and 
contentment with his mother and sisters, and is an "old bachelor." as he ex- 
presses it, but his old comrades cannot think of him in any other light than 
the young, genial, warm-hearted, and brave John B. Daw 

JAMES G. EASTWOOD. 

James G. Eastwood was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, Aug. 
4. 1844, which date places him among the youngest members of the bat- 
tery. He lived in the State of Xew York till about ten years of age, and from 
that time until he entered the United States service he lived in Woodstock, 




THADDKUS STEVENS CLARKSOX. 



HISTOR Y OF BA TTER Y ' \4. " 1 )9 

111. He was a student at Todd's Seminary at Woodstock when the war 
broke out. Leaving his studies he enlisted as private in Battery "A," at 
Woodstock, Feb. 3, 1802. and immediately joined the battery in the held. 
He served his full term of enlistment faithfully and honorably, and was not 
in the hospital or unfit for duty more than a day or two at a time during his 
entire service. I le was promoted to corporal in the winter of 1864. and was 
mustered out at the end of his term of enlistment. Returning to his home 
after his discharge he engaged as clerk in a grocery store, and later went 
into business for himself in Chicago, dealing in cigars and tobacco for about 
three years. He then went to Indianapolis and had charge of a news and 
cigar stand in a large hotel. About 1877 he returned to Woodstock and 
again resumed the cigar, tobacco and news business, where he remained till 
the spring of 1880, when he secured an appointment in the Census Bureau 
then being organized, remaining till the census was completed, when he re- 
ceived an appointment in the Adjutant General's office in the War Depart- 
ment at Washington, where he remained till 1889, when, on account of 
failing health, he was compelled to resign. He was married to Mark 
Schuyler, June [6, 1886. A daughter was born to them Oct. 16, 1888, who 
was named Katherine, both surviving him. He died in Washington, Aug. 
8. [890, having been entirely helpless for about a year previous. The dis- 
ease which caused his death was easily traced to his army service, it having 
troubled him when discharged, gradually growing worse till death relieved 
him of his sufferings. As a soldier, citizen, husband and father, Comrade 
Eastwood was brave, faithful, loving, steadfast and true. He served his 
country long and well, as became a brave man. dying while yet compara- 
tively young, from causes resulting from his service. 

FREDERICK A. EMi >RY. 

Sixty-nine years ago. in the quiet Quaker City on the Delaware, Fred- 
erick A. Emory was born. When he was but two years old he lost his father 
and was sent to live with an uncle in Xew Jersey, with whom he lived till 
ten years old, when he returned to Philadelphia, lie started to learn the 
carpenter trade, at which he worked three weeks. This work not being to 
his liking he went to sea and grew to become a sailor. At the age of twenty- 
one he was second mate of a ship. When the war br< >ke out he was master of 
the schooner "Echo," running between Buffalo and Chicago, and earning a 
salary of $95 a month. He resigned this position and eidisted in the battery at 
$13 a month in Chicago, Aug. 1, 1862, serving until July 10, 18(15. when he 
was mustered out at Chicago, the war having closed. He was made corporal 
when the batteries were consolidated, which was his rank when discharged. 
He was in every battle and skirmish in which the battery was engaged during 
his service. He resumed his calling as sailor after the war, and was master 1 if 




ENOCH COLBY, JR. 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 141 



sail and steam vessels all over the great chain of lakes until 1895, when he left 
the lakes and is now master of a tug on the Nancemund River. He holds a 
government license as master and pilot on all the lakes and bays, and rivers 
connected with them; also Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and all tributaries 
of North Carolina and Hampton Roads and Nancemond River. He owns a 
farm of fifty acres at Magnolia, Ya., on which he lives, and runs with his tug- 
on the river. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Kate Caswell. 
] lis present wife was Miss Mini Marquett. He has five children. He still has 
in his possession a book presented to him by Fred Church, containing the 
plays performed in the Larkinsville Theater, illustrated by Comrade Church. 

DANIEL R. FARNHAM. 

The second victim to offer up his life as a sacrifice to his country on the 
bloody field of Sliiloh was brave, noble. Christian Daniel R. Farnham. No 
member was more universally loved and honored by his comrade- than he. 
lb' was filling a lucrative and pleasant position as bookkeeper in Chicago 
when the war broke out. Throwing this tip and taking a hasty leave of his 
widowed mother and sisters, he enlisted as private in Battery "A," April 
n,i, 1861, and served through, the three months' term, re-enlisting for thn 1 
years July 16 following, and served faithfully and creditably until his un- 
timely end. He was born in Warsaw, X. Y.. Jan. 31, 1834. His childhood 
and youth days were spent in Silver Creek, X. Y. and in the city of Buffalo, 
where his earl}' school education was acquired. lie came West when a 
young man, and located in Chicago. Ik- was fitted by education, talents 
and habits for the highest walks of business and social life, yet when his 
intry called he promptly exchanged the comforts of home and the bright 
prospects of the future for the hardships of a private soldier's lot. lie fell 
nobly in defense of the old flag, and his memory will be held in sweet remem- 
brance by all his old comrades and friends. His remains were brought I'' 
( hicago and laid to rest in Graceland Cemetery. I lis name is among those 
engraved on the battery monument in Rose Hill Cemetery. He has three 
sisters, Louisa M. Farnham. Mrs. T. R. Albee and Mrs. J. I. Stowell, all re- 
siding in Chicago. 

WILLIAM PITT FOLLANSBEE. 

The subject of this sketch was a native of Chicago, having been born 
in that city < )ct. 29, 1841. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fol- 
lansbee, who were among Chicago's most prominent, old and wealth}- fami- 
lies. He always lived in the city of his birth, attending her schools during his 
boyhood days. After leaving school he was engaged as salesman for C H. 
Beckwith, wholesale grocer, and was so occupied when the war began. He 
leu his situation and enlisted as private in Fatten- "'A," July 2S. [861. He 




JOHN D. DYER. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 143 

was with the battery continuous!}-, taking a conspicuous part in all its en- 
gagements until mustered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment. 
[ulv 25, 1864. He then returned to Chicago and engaged in the grocery 
business with Lewis F. Jacobs, also a member of the battery, both having 
been messmates in the same squad throughout the war. He quit tins busi- 
n ss and went to Larkspur, Colo., where he purchased a large ranch and em- 
barked in the cattle business, in which he was engaged at the time of his 
death, which occurred Feb. 2?. 1870. Jib remains were brought home and 
buried in < iraceland. He had never married. His mother and brothers still 
li\ e in Chicago. 

( )RRINGT< >N C. F( >STER. 

Like many other members of [lattery "A," ( '. C. Foster was a native- 
born Chicagoan. From six to twelve years of age he attended the public 
schools of the city. He afterwards entered the Northwestern University at 
Evanston, which institution he left to enlist in the battery as private April [9, 
[861. lie was made gunner of squad five at the attack on Jackson, Miss. 
While the company was in camp at Memphis he. with others of his squad, 
had a very narrow- escape from an accidental death, through an oversight of 
one of the officers. They were sitting at the squad table one day when clever, 
honest Blacksmith William Kirk innocently bred a gun loaded with canister. 
pointing directly toward the table. The battery forge and a big mule inter- 
vening received the charge and prevented anything more serious than a 
good-sized scare. The gun had been u>ed on the river below Memphis, and 
a charge that was not fired had carelessly been left in the gun. Kirk was en- 
tertaining visitors at the camp at the time, doing the honors as an old sol- 
dier. Wishing to show them how firing was done, he inserted a friction 
primer in this particular gun and pulled away. Kirk, who was of a decidedly 
dark complexion, was fairly pale for several days, as a result of his demon- 
stration. Comrade Foster was battery bugler in the early part of the war. 
He was appointed corporal after the battle of Shiloh. He served creditably 
in the battery, taking part in all its engagements until July, 1864, when he 
wa> mustered out. his term of enlistment having expired. He was an active 
worker socially in helping to relieve the monotony of camp life, notably as 
"ne of the members of the Larkinsville Theater Company, improvised by 
the members of the battery; also as one of the Kennedy Glee Club, and at 
the challenge concert at Jackson. Miss., given by the Jackson citizens, by 
request of several Union officers, responding alternately to songs of South- 
ern sentiment. He has been engaged principally since the war in the rail- 
road business, and is now with the Northern Milling Co. He is married and 
has three children, two boys and one girl, and lives with his family in their 
pleasant home at ? 2 7 La Salle avenue, Chicago. 




ALBERT DIXSON. 



HIS TOR J ' OF BA TTER Y "A." 145 

WILLIAM FURNESS. 

As loyal to the State of his nativity in his maturer years as he was to the 
I 'iiic in in the days of his younger manhood, is William Furness, now re- 
siding in < >gdensburg, N. Y., in which city he was horn Jan. i, 1831. Here 
he spent his childhood days, and when of suitable age he entered Union 
College, in Schenectady. X. Y.. from which he graduated as civil engineer 
in 1852. He went West and worked one year at his profession, in Peoria, 
[11., then returned home and engaged in the insurance business. In 1861 he 

. 5 clerking in the hanking and insurance office of l>. W. Phillips & Co. in 
Chicago, and left his position to enlist as private in Battery "A," April 19, 
[861, re-enlisting Jul) t6, 1861. for three years, serving with the battery at 
Cairo and Paducah, Ky. ( hi the 28th of January, [862, at Paducah, he was 
discharged from the service on surgeon's certificate of disability, from sick- 
ness contracted in the line of duty. After his recover) he worked at differ- 
ent occupations. For four years he was in the government employ under 
the alien contract labor law and United States customs. He married Miss 
Margaret G. Bird, of Peterboro, ( 'nt .. in 1871. They have two grown-up 
sons and one grandson. A. Win. Furness, residing at Montpelier, Vt, and 
Gilbert B. Furness, residing at Mandan, North Dakota. He is Past Com- 
mander of Ransom Post, Xo. 354, Department of Xew York, G. A. R. At 
present he is speculating in grain and stocks. 

EDWARD P. FISH. 

The Empire State can have the credit of furnishing more native sons 
for members of Battery "A" than any other State in the Union, excepting, 
of course, Illinois. Prominent among these is Edward P. Fish. He was 
born at Clarkson. X. Y., Sept. 14, 1831, and lived there until he was eleven 
years old, then moved with his parents to Lewiston, X. Y., where they lived 
four years. He attended school two years at Albion and Madison, X. Y. 
He then learned the tinsmith trade, at which he worked a number of years. 
In September, 1852, he went to Princeton, Ilk, remaining there till [858. 
He then went South, where he remained till Jan. 26, 1861, when political 
matters, partaking too much of the nature of the climate, became too hot for 
any honest Northern man, and he returned to Princeton in February fol- 
lowing. He had not taken up with anything permanent when the war broke 
out. and soon after President Lincoln's first call for 75.000 men he recruited 
a company of rifle sharpshooters and offered his services with his company 
to ( iovernor Yates, but at that time he had no authority to accept and com- 
mission them, and they disbanded, scattering about in other organizations. 
Nol at all discouraged, he came to Chicago and enlisted as private in the 
battery July 16, 1861. He participated in all the battles and engagements 
of the battery during his term of service, but was not engaged at Shiloh, 




JAMES B. DUTCH. 



HISTORY OF BATERY "./." 147 



\\ 



hich lias always been a source of regret to him, as he came of true fighting 

Stock, and never shirked a duty while a soldier. Out of six brothers in the 
family rive of them were in the Union army before ( )ctober, 1861. Xo draft 
by Uncle Sam was necessary to secure the services of such defenders as tin 
Fish boys. The older brother enlisted in the Illinois Cavalry under General 
Surlc. the next was in a company of Wisconsin cavalry, under General 
Dodge, Sixteenth Army Corps; Edward enlisted in the battery; the next 
younger brother, Lucien J. Fish, enlisted in the ordnance department and 
went through with Sherman to the sea and on to Washington in [865, was 
color guard from Chattanooga to Washington, and never received a scratch: 
tin- youngest brother, Charles II. Fish, was signal officer on General Lo- 
gan's staff from Chattanooga to the capture of Atlanta, and had charge 1 >f tin- 
famous work of signaling to General Corse at Altoona when the rebels 
were trying to capture that place. The three younger brothers are still 
living. Comrade Fish was mustered out of the service [uly 22, [864, his 
term of enlistment having expired, lie was never wounded nor has never 
applied for a pension. He celebrated Lincoln's second inauguration by 
getting married on that day. March 4. [865, and started housekeeping the 
day he was assassinated. The happy bride was .Miss Althea I). Trask. of 
Buda, 111. They have one daughter living and two granddaughters. H< 
moved to Missouri in [869 and from there to Pueblo, Colo., in July, [874, 
where he has since resided, lie has followed the business of plumbing and 
gasfitting, and by untiring energy, strict integrity and upright dealing has 
established a large and lucrative business, and ranks among the solid and 
reliable citizens of Pueblo. lie has a comfortable, pleasant home, and the 
latch -string is always out to any of his old comrades visiting that far Western 
t< >wn. 

FERDINAND V. GINDELE. 

Ferdinand V. Gindele was born in the city of Schweinfurth, Bavaria, 
Germany, July 12, 1842, and came t<> the United States with his parents Oct. 
[0, [850, living in Wisconsin till 1852. when they came to Chicago, which 
city has since been his home. He attended the old Xo. 3 district school on 
Madison, near Halsted street, and took a course at Bryant X Stratb mi's Com- 
mercial College. For nearly a lifetime he has been engaged in the cut stone 
business in Chicago, in which he served a full apprenticeship as a boy, as- 
sisting'' during that time to cut the stone in the old original hi^ii school 
building and the Douglas University, lie was working at his trade when 
the war broke out. and enlisted April i<), [861, at Chicago, in Batterv "X." 
! Ie served three months and returned home, but re-enlisted August 5, [862, 
and served with the battery, participating in all its engagements until lulv 
12. 1 Si 4. before Atlanta, when he was detailed on detached service as clerk 




JAMES G. EASTWOOD. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 149 



in the Assistant Adjutant General's office of the Second Division. Fifteenth 
Army Corps. He went through with Sherman on the march to the sea. and 
the campaign through the Carolinas, and was mustered out of the service at 
the close of the war in Washington, I). C, May 26. 1865, and returned home. 
With the exception of two years when he was engaged as assistant in the 
engineer corps in the original deepening of the old canal, which is now 
being changed into the largest drainage canal in the United States, he has 
followed the cut stone business, in different positions, and is now. and has 
been for a number of years, conducting the business for himself. He was 
married to Caroline Haverlund March 3, 1870. They have surviving one 
-(Hi and two daughters and one grandson. 

MERIC G< )ULD. 

Meric Gould was horn in East Pembroke, N. Y.. Feb. 28, 1835. ^'' s 
childhood and youth were spent in his native town and in Medina County, 
Ohio, attending school, helping on the farm, and doing his share of the 
"neighborhood deviltry," as he humbl) confesses it. until old enough to go 
sailing on the Great Lakes, in which occupation he was engaged when the 
civil war broke out. He enlisted in the battery as "high private" in Chicago, 
July 28. i86r. and served with the company till Jan. 2S. 1862, when he was 
discharged at Paducah, Ky., for disability contracted in line of duty. Dis- 
charge states disease was malaria cachexia, which was the same with many 
of the sick" and discharged soldiers from that place. Being restored to com- 
paratively good health he afterwards re-enlisted in the Nineteenth Ohio Light 
Artillery Independent, on Aug. 7, 1862. and served with that command till 
the close of the war. Since the war he has engaged in farming, lumber 
business and manufacturing hardwood lumber. He is now living at Brest, 
Mich., where he is justice of the peace and postmaster. He is in poor health 
and unable to perform any manual labor. Comrades will remember him as 
the "old sailor," as he was familiarly called during his term of service with 
the battery. He was married to Lydia Dewey Nov. 16, 1865. who died in 
March, i860, and has four children living, one dead and five grandchildren. 

ALLEN W. CRAY. 

I lie subject of this sketch is a native of Chicago, and one of her most 
prominent and successful physicians. He was horn Dec. 16. 183c), and lived 
in tin- city till twelve years of age, when his parents moved to Xiles. Cook 
1 ounty. where they lived four years, moving from there to their farm in 
the I own of Jefferson, which is now within the city limits, and where they 
lived the remainder of their lives, both dying a few years ago. His father. 
John Cray, was a prominent citizen of Chicago and Cook Count}', and 
ed as Sheriff of Cook County during the years 1859 and i860. He at- 




WILLIAM PITT FOLLANSBEE. 



Jl /STORY OF BATTERY "A." l5l 

tended the district schools in the neighborhood where his parents lived until 
[858, when he went to Evanston to attend the Northwestern University. 
He was the first student to enlist from that institution in the civil war, having 
enlisted in Battery "A," April [9, 1861. He served through the three 
months' service as private in the battery and re-enlisted for three years in 
the same company July 10. [861, at Cairo, 111. During the three months' 
service he was on the expedition to Mexico. Mo. He was sick in hospital 
at Cairo from July [8 to Aug. 2 1 . [861, with camp Fever, which was the 
extent of his sickness and disability during the entire war. He was one of 
the battery who served on a cavalry expedition to Mayfield, Kv., Oct. 21 
and 22. [861. < )n Dec. [3, [861, by special order of the War Department, 
lie was transferred to the Ffty-first Regiment, Illinois Infantry. He was 
appointed regimental commissary sergeant Jan. 1, r862; reinstated a veteran 
volunteer in same regiment Feb. 8, 1864; was promoted to First Lieutenant. 
Company G, same regiment, April 1, 1864, and appointed First Lieutenant 
and regimental Adjutant June 27, 1864. He resigned and was mus- 
tered out of service Jan. 31, 1805, having served three years, nine months 
and fourteen days, participating in the battles of New Madrid, Island Xo. 10, 
Farmington, luka, Corinth. Chickamauga, .Mission Ridge, march to relief 
of Knoxville, Rock}- Face Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw 
Mountain, I "each Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Spring Hill, 
Franklin and Nashville, besides numerous skirmishes. He married Miss 
Sarah II. Adams, of Northfield, Ilk, ( >ct. 13, [862, and they now reside in a 
substantial and beautiful home at 1410 Washington boulevard. They have 
three sons, two daughters and one grandson. He kept a country store one 
ami a half years, after leaving the army, then studied medicine at Chicago 
Medical College, graduating in [868, since which time he has been in active 
practice of medicine in Chicago. He was United States Examining Sur- 
geon for Pensions at Chicago from June, [889, to June. 1893, and was reap- 
pointed in June. [897, and is still serving in that position. He takes an 
active interest in the < irand Army of the Republic and is a Past Commander 
of I". S. Grant Post, Xo. 28, Department of Illinois. He is also an active 
member of the Ancient < >rder of United Workmen and of the Royal League. 

ADAM CLARK HALL. 

There are many members of old Battery "A" who, if asked regarding 
their memory of Adam C. Hall, would hesitate a moment before replying, 
but if asked in regard to "( iaribaldi" there would be no faltering for an affir- 
mative reply. "< iarrie," as he was familiarly called by all the boys, was one 
of the prominent members from the very starting of the battery for the front, 
April 21. 1861. When the battery was moved up the river from Cairo to 
Cam]) Smith, and the work of cleaning up the heavy timber and undergrowth 




EDWARD P. FISH. 



HIS TOR 1 ' OF BA TTER )'"./." 1 53 



was begun, Capt. Smith placed Hall in charge of it. and he proved to be 
an expert in the business. Many a tenderly reared boy took his first lessons 
at hard work in wood-chopping, grubbing and log-rolling from him, and he 
was always a good-natured, cheerful instructor. The huge bonfires which 
burned nightly while the work of cleaning up continued, were always sur- 
rounded by a jolly group of boys, who whiled away the time in singing sen- 
timental and patriotic songs and listening to stories told by one another. 
"( iarrie" was a capital story-teller, and always enjoyed a good joke, even 
when he was the victim. J le was a native of the Green Mountain State, 
having first seen the light of day in Pittsford, Vermont, Feb. 28, 1834. His 
early years were spent on a farm in his native place. He learned the trade 
nf railroad engineer when a young man, and. coming to the West, was en- 
gaged in that occupation when the war broke out. He enlisted in the 
battery April 15, 1861, re-enlisted at Cairo July 16 following, and again at 
Bellfont, Ala.. Jan. 2, 18(14. His rank was corporal. He was severely 
Wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and narrowly missed being captured by the 
enemy, but escaped and assisted several of his wounded comrades from the 
field and prevented their capture. He was not so fortunate at the battle of 
Atlanta, July 22, 1864, but was taken prisoner there with a number of others 
of the battery, and held until April 10, 1865, when he was paroled at Camp 
Fisk, Miss. He was mustered out at Chicago July 2j. 1865. by general order 
of the War Department discharging paroled prisoners. While a prisoner' 
he was confined the whole time at Andersonville, and endured with so many 
others the horrors of that accursed prison pen, coming out a perfect skeleton, 
and but a mere shadow of his former self. When he was captured he weighed 
218 pounds and when paroled but 128 pounds. After his discharge, as near 
a physical wreck as it was possible for a man to be and live, he. at the urgent 
request of his dear aged mother, quit railroading, took up the trade of car- 
penter and builder in Chicago, and followed that until July, 1868, when he 
removed to Des Moines, Iowa, and resumed work at his carpenter trade. 
1 his he was obliged to give up on account of his health, and he returned to 
his work as stationary engineer. He secured a position as engineer in the 
Des Moines water works, which he filled for nearly eight years, but at last 
was forced to give up steady work- at his trade in 1893. on account of poor 
health. He then secured a few acres of land in the suburbs of Des Moines, 
and after partially regaining his health, fitted up a snug, comfortable home, 
and. by cultivating his little tract of land, raising fruit, vegetables and small 
grains, manages to live in comparative comfort. How long he can hold on 
to life he can not and does not pretend to say. as, according to records and 
reports, he is destined to be a very old man. The Illinois Adjutant General's 
report from 1861 to 1865 has him dead since Nov. 16, t86i, grave 12060, 
and he was reported as lost on the steamer "Sultana." but he still lives and 




FERDINAND V. GINDELE. 



HIS I VA' Y OF BA TTKR Y "A." 1 5 5 



Feels much more like continuing to do so than he did thirty-six years ago, 
and. like the Irishman, he lias concluded that he will stay on earth and "live 
as long as he can see anyone else do so." He suggests, in recording the 
history of the boys, "to give each one their full share of the honor, as there 
is enough to go around." and he will be content to take his chance with the 
rest. He was married Jan. 23, [866, to Miss Sophia P>. Morrow, in Chicago. 
They have had but one child. 1 )avid Terry 1 [all, who died in July, 1872. when 
only rive years of age. 

EDWARD S. HILLS. 

Among the few battery members who located in the South after the war 
is Edward S. Hills. He was horn in Manchester. Conn., in 1840. but his 
boyhood and youth were spent in Buffalo, X. Y. In the spring of 1861 he 
was working at his trade, blacksmithing, in Chicago, where he enlisted as 
private in Battery "A," April i«j. He served through the three months' ser- 
vice, re-enlisted with a majority of the battery July 16, 1861, and served with 
the company till Jan. o. 1.863, when, on account of severe sickness and 
weakness, he was discharged on surgeon's certificate for physical disability. 
lie has been in the United States postal service since December, i86<j, was 
married in October, 1875, and has one son thirteen years old. He lives at 
Atlanta. Ga., where he is located in his own home. 

HOXIE LEE IK >FFMAN. 

< >ne by one the survivors of our battery are fast joining the silent ma- 
jority. The last one to answer the final summons was genial, brave Hoxie 
L. Hoffman, who passed away at the Soldiers* Home. Los Angeles County, 
California. Feb. 12. [899. On Jan. 19 previous he wrote that he was com- 
fortably situated in the Home, which, as he expressed it, was the "Harden 
Spot of the Earth." where his every want was supplied, and where, in the nat- 
ural order of things, he would soon he called upon to respond to the last 
roll call, as he was in his sixty-eighth year, hie was born in Warsaw, X. Y., 
Feb. 20, 1831. From the time he was four years of age until twenty he 
lived with his father on a farm in Half Day, Lake County, 111., where they 
hail many years of hard work- and poor returns. When twenty-one he was 
offered and accepted a position with his brother-in-law, William Clingman, 
a leading clothier of Chicago, receiving the munificent salarv at that time of 
S50 per month,. He was so engaged when the war broke out. and on April 
17. 1861. left his position and enlisted, as private in the battery. He served 
with the battery until Jan. 17, 1863, when, on account of severe sickness, he 
was obliged to resign his commission as Second Lieutenant, to which he had 
been promoted, having been advanced to that position from previous promo- 
tions of corporal and sergeant. After his resignation, as soon as he had re- 




MERIC GOULD. 



HIS TOR Y OF BA ITER Y "A." 1 5 7 



covered sufficiently, he went into the sewing machine business, in which he 
continued for fifteen years, most of the time being located in St. Louis. He 
then changed to the Uoard of Trade business in Chicago, which proved a 
disastrous venture. He remained single until August, 1893, when he mar- 
ried and went to California, settling at Los Angeles. This also proved an 
unfortunate move, and, as he says, the 'Mast move on the chess board," was 
to make application and be admitted to the Soldiers' Home, where he was so 
soon to end his days. In writing his last letter he extends his kind regards 
and remembrances to all his old comrades, and says when he shall have 
passed away he will have a marble slab to mark his last resting place." in- 
scribed with all necessary statements." He says in his lonely condition he 
would give $1.10 to hear Fred S. Church call out, "Dinner, Squad 3." but 
il was his present belief that he would "never hear his gentle voice again," 
seeming to have a premonition of his near approaching dissolution. The 
news of his sudden taking off was received by all his old comrades with sur- 
prise and sorrow. 

M( )SES HAWKS. 

The oldest member and survivor of the battery is Moses Hawks. He 
was born at Hannibal. X. Y., Dec. 14, 1821, on a farm, where he lived and 
grew to manhood. He came West, and, when the war began, was general 
agent for an agricultural implement manufacturing company. He enlisted 
in the battery in Chicago in July, 18O1, as private, and served the full term of 
his enlistment, enduring the hardships and privations of army life as rug- 
gedly as any of the younger members. He received slight wounds both at 
the battles of . Donelson and Shiloh. His first vote was cast in 1841 for 
James G. Birney, the Abolition candidate for President. At that time he 
was serving as conductor on the Underground Railroad from his native 
town to Oswego, N. Y. Since the war he has dealt in farm stock and been 
a manufacturer of butter and cheese. He lives in Phoenix, X. Y.. and has 
never married. 

EDWARD HUGHES. 

Edward Hughes is a native son of Chicago, where he was born Feb. 9, 
[838, and which place has ever since been his home. His school education 
was obtained in the old Kinzie School, on the Xorth Side, where he at- 
tended until fourteen years old, when he commenced work for A. Clybonrn. 
Chicago's oldest butcher, in the old Xorth Market, and continued working 
for him till he enlisted in the battery in July. 1862. He served as private, 
taking part in all its engagements until Jul}' 22, 1863, when he was taken 
prisoner at Jackson, Miss., and held until ( >ct. 19, 1864. A graphic account 
of the experience of those captured on that day is given by Win. H. Young 




ALLEN W. GRAY. 



HISTOR \ ' OF BA TTER Y il A." 1 59 

in the chapter on the Siege of Jackson. Comrade Hug-lies lost an eye while 
in prison at Andersonville. Me returned to Chicago and engaged in the 
market and provision business, which he has since followed. He married 
had two children. His wife and both children are dead. He has two 
grandchildren. 

EDWARD J( )H\"S< >.\. 

Edward Johnson was horn in Richmond, Richmond Count}-. New York, 
I 8, 1837, where he lived and attended the village school until fourteen 
rsof age. During the following two years he assisted his father, clerking 
in liis general store. From 1853 until [860 he was clerking in various mer- 
cantile lines in New York City. He went to Chicago in i860, reaching there 
.luring the session of the national convention that nominated Abraham Lin- 
coln for President. He engaged as clerk in a wholesale grocerv house, 
which position he resigned to enlist as private in the battery July 2$, 1861. 
Being proficient in clerical work, and ability of that nature being needed, he 
was detailed for extra duty in the Subsistence Department at Paducah, l\v., 
shortly after the occupation of that city in September, 1861, and continued 
m such employ until mustered out for disability June 21, T862. He con- 
tinued in the service of the United States government, however, and for six- 
teen years was in the departments in Washington. D. C. lie is now clerk- 
in the Quartermaster's Department at the National Military Home, Leaven- 
worth. Kan. He married Mary E. ( iunsaloes at Washington. D. C. Sept. 30, 
867, and has two married daughters and three grandchildren. 

LEWIS I". JAC( )1'.S. 

In the western part of far-off Norway, Europe, Lewis F. Jacobs was 
bom, in 1835. When eleven years old he came with his parents to America, 
settling in Kendall County. Illinois, lie had one brother and two sisters. 
His parents were poor, and immediately on their arrival in this country 
Lewis began to work to support himself and assist his parents, working on a 
farm. When in the country but three years the entire family was stricken 
with the cholera, and all were carried away with it except Lewis and his two 
sisters. He soon after went to work- as a brakeman on the railroad, and 
finally became a baggagemaster. at which work he was engaged when the 
war broke otit. He was in the first body of troops to leave Chicago for the 
front, having enlisted in the defense of his adopted country, in Battery "A." 
April 19, i86t. He re-enlisted the following July 16, and served till mus- 
ed out, July 23, 1864. A more faithful, zealous and brave soldier than 
Lewis could not be found, lie was a universal favorite with all the com- 




ADAM C. HALL 



HIS TOR i 7 OF BA TTER Y "A." 161 



rades of the battery, and he was very much attached to them. His friendship 
continued until his dying day, when he remembered them by donating a lot 
he owned in the southern outskirts of the city, to the Battery Veteran Asso- 
ciation, for the purpose of caring for the battery monument and lot in the 
cemetery at Rose Hill, and providing for the care and comfort of any de- 
serving and nccd\ members, and for keeping up the association while any 
of the members lived. The publishing of this history, to perpetuate the 
achievements of our gallant battery, and the memory of its living and noble 
dead, was made possible by Comrade Jacobs' donation. He was engaged 
in the mercantile business in Chicago for a few years after the war. He 
then secured a position in the United States ( iovernment Ganger's office, 
which place he filled for many years, till failing health compelled him to re- 
sign. Two of his battery comrades, having such implicit confidence in his 
honesty and integrity, were on his official bond during the entire time he 
was connected with this office, and their trust was never betrayed. Honest, 
brave and true, generous to a fault, were his natural qualities, and he died 
sincerely mourned by all his comrades and friends. His death occurred after 
a lingering illness in hospital, Oct. 21, 1889, and he was laid to rest by his 
comrades in the battery lot in Rose Hill Cemetery. His grave is the only 
one on which an individual headstone was allowed to be placed. It is a 
beautiful granite stone, and is inscribed with his name, date of death and the 
very appropriate inscription of, "Noble Patriot, Brave Soldier, and True 

Friend." He has a sister, Mrs. Sarah Erickson. living at Stony City, Iowa. 

I [e was never married. 



WILLIAM H. JOHNSON. 

A few of the battery members can claim the honor of having gone with 
t leneral Sherman on the memorable march "from Atlanta to the sea." Among 
these is the subject of this sketch. Win. 11. Johnson, now living at Alpena, 
.Mich. He was born at Kishwaukee, 111.. Feb. 10, 1840. He moved to Mil- 
waukee when a child, and lived there till 1857, when he went to Chicago and 
engaged with the American Express Co., where he was employed at the 
time of his enlistment as private in the battery. Aug. 6, 1862. He was No. 3 
in squad one until June 16, [864, when, at Big Shanty, Ga.. he was detailed 
to report to Lieutenant Mitchell, Ordnance Officer of the Fifteenth Army 
Corps, for whom he acted as clerk until his term of enlistment expired. He 
was with the corps on the "grand march." and was mustered out at Washing- 
ton. D. C, May 25, 1865. He married Miss Mary G. Nason. formerly of 
I 'hicago, and has three children. He is a prominent and successful busi- 
ness man, is engaged in the lumber business and a bank in the city of Al- 
pena, Mich. 




HENRY H. HANDY 



HISTORY OF BATTERY i( A." 163 



FREDERICK M. KANTZLER. 

Among the worthy, patriotic citizens of Chicago that Germany has fur- 
nished, is Fred. M. Kantzler. He was born in that empire Sept. 3. 1840. In 
[852 with his parents he crossed the Atlantic. Making their way to Chi- 
cago, they located at Blue Island, a southern suburb. He secured a position 
as clerk in a country store, and was so engaged at the breaking out of the 
war. A number of Blue Island boys, friends and acquaintances being mem- 
bers of Battery "A." he came to Paducah, l\y.. and joined the battery Dec. 
1. [861, enlisting as private, lie served with the battery, taking part in all 
its engagements, until July 22, [863, when he was taken prisoner with a 
number of others of the battery, at Jackson, .Miss, lie was taken to Belle 
Island. Va.. where he was held for six months, then removed to that rebel 
hell-hole of Andersonville, where he remained seven months, and. surviving 
all this, he was taken to Savannah, Ga., and kept for two months longer, 
when he was exchanged r\ov. iS, [864. He was mustered out Jan. 1 -\ [865, 
his term of enlistment having expired. After the war he was in active busi- 
ness in Chicago until May, 1X1)7, when, having acquired a comfortable com- 
petency, he retired from active business. He married Miss Elizabeth For- 
rest, of Canton, Mo. They have live children and live in their pleasant home 
at 3030 Vernon avenue, Chicago. 

HARRIS* )X KELLEY. 

Harrison Kelley was one of the popular and prominent members of the 
battery during the three months' service, enlisting as private April 21, [86i, 
in Chicago. But the three months with the battery was by no means the 
extent of his military service in the civil war. I le was appointed First Lieu- 
tenant in the Forty-fourth New York Infantry Volunteers, July 4, [861, and 
served in that position till July 3. [862. He was then promoted to Adjutant 
in the same regiment and served in that capacity till Feb. 9, [863. He was 
commissioned as captain in the same command Feb. 25, 1803. During al! 
his military career he says the first day's service with the battery, when he 
rode as cannonier on the limber of a gun through the streets of Chicago, be- 
hind four green and fractious horses and equally as green and awkward pos- 
Lillions, the cheers and surging <>\ the thousands of spectators that lined the 
streets frightening both animals and men nearly out of their senses, im- 
pressed itself more vividly on his mind than anything in his later experience, 
lie was with his regiment in the battles of < laines Mill, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, and others, but at no time was so "nearly scared to death" as upon that 
memorable march through the city of Chicago, when, as an ex-book- 
keeper and cashier, he was required to jump off the limber and down among 
the heels of the fractious horses, about once every five minutes, and to try to 
•jiiiet and dissuade them from their efforts to straddle everything in sight, 




EDWARD S. HILLS. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY ••./." 165 



including the pole, traces and himself, and to plunge about generally. To 
his mind and memory no more dangerous duty was devolved upon him 
during the war. He was born in New York City Aug. 14. [840. The first 
four vears of his life were spent in his native city. Thereafter until 1855 he 
alternated between different places in the State of New York and Chicago, 
settling in that year in the future great city of the West. He was employed 
as bookkeeper and cashier with the extensive hardware firm of Larrabee 
& North, and left his position with that firm to join the army. When he left 
school at eight years of age, he began work as a cash boy, and was advanced 
to bookkeeper and cashier, in which capacities he has been employed ever 
since, except while in the army, and a few years in the hardware business 
for himself. Since 1876 he has been the efficient secretary of the well-known 
and popular People's Building and Loan Association of Chicago, which po- 
sition he still fills. He is married and has two children living: and one erand- 



CORNELIUS KENDALL. 

Cornelius Kendall, one of the prominent three months' members of the 
battery, was born in Quincy, Ilk, May 22, 1830. and lived there until 1853, 
when he came to Chicago, which was his home till [870. He was working 
in his father's well-known bakery, on the corner of Washington and Dear- 
born streets, when the war began, and enlisted as private in the battery April 
]<)• [861, and served three months at Cairo. He went to Toledo. < )hio, in 
[870, where he still lives, being established in the steam-fitting business, in 
which he has been successful and prosperous. He married Miss Ida L. 
Knapp in 1873. and has no children. 

THE< )[)( IRE VVYLIE KENNEDY. 

A loyal, brave and true citizen and soldier was Theodore W. Kennedy. 
lie was born in Green County, Alabama. July 2$, 1843, which placed him 
among the youngest members of the battery. His parents moved to Chicago 
in [846. Here Theodore was raised to manhood, and with the exception of 
a few months that city was his home until his death, which occurred Nov. 
10, 1881. He enlisted in the battery with the first members, April [9, 1861. 
served three months and re-enlisted for three years, serving his full term 
faithfully and creditably, taking part in all the work of the battery. 1 !e was 
mustered out in July. 1804, and returned to Chicago. He was employed as 
mail carrier, at which he served for many years. He resigned but a short 
time before his death, for the purpose of going into business. He married 
Miss Eliza Stewart in Chicago in 1805. His widow, in fair circumstances, 
and four children survive him. 




KOXIE L. HOFFMAN. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 167 



SAMPS( )N KENNEDY. 

A native-born Southerner, but loyal to the core to the Union, can be 
said of Sampson Kennedy. He was born in Green County, Alabama, Feb. 
23, [839, and came north to Chicago in [846, which city was his home until 
[867. He learned the printer's trade and was working at it when he en- 
listed in the battery in Chicago, July 12, 1861. His brother, Theodore W., 
was already serving in the battery, having been with it during the three 
months' service. He served his lull term of enlistment, without a furlough, 
and, being quite sociable and musical, contributed in no small degree to the 
pleasures and enjoyments of cam]) and army life, especially in the part he 
took in the (dee Club at Paducah, V^icksburg and Larkinsville. In 1871 
he engaged in the business of printer and publisher at Moline, 111., continu- 
ing it till [887. He is still living at Moline. 

He married Miss Adeline Whiting in .Monmouth, 111. Nov. 6. 1866, and 
six children have blessed the union. Mate, who died at birth; Robert B., 
Adeline. Philip S., Alice, and Sampson \Y. His second son. Philip, served 
in tlie First Xat. Infantry. Company M. in the late war, and participated in 
the capture 1 if Manila. 

ARTHUR MAGILL KINZIE. 

The subject of this sketch is a lineal descendant of the first white family 
that settled in Chicago, when it was but a mere Indian trading post. Arthur 
Al. ECinzie was born in Chicago, March 24, 1841, which city has always been 
his home. He attended his hrst school there, then continued at Racine 
College, and later on entered ECenyon College, < )hio, where he was studying 
when the war broke out. He enlisted in the battery in Chicago, April 10, 
[861, and served three months as private and corporal. After the three 
months' service he was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Ninth Illinois 
Cavalry, and was immediately detailed as aid-de-camp to Major General 
Hunter, commanding the Department of Missouri. He was afterwards 
promoted to Captain and A. I). C. to the Major General commanding the 
Tenth Army Corps. To Comrade Kin/.ie belongs the credit of having or- 
ganized and equipped the first regiment of colored troops raised in the 
Union service, which he did by command of Major ( ieneral Hunter, in May, 
1862. It was called the First South Carolina Union Volunteers, but was 
not recognized by the Secretary of War, and was ordered to be discharged. 
Six months afterwards, however, the government ordered the enlistment of 
colored troops, and this regiment formed the neucleus of the colored troops 
of South Carolina, which proved such valuable auxiliaries in suppressing the 
rebellion. He was in the rebel prison at Cahaba, Ala., three months, having 
been captured by the rebel (ieneral forest's cavalry. He served till the 



* 



v m 



MOSES HAWKS. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY li A." 169 



close of the war. and was mustered out in November, 1865. He returned 
to Chicago, and has been paymaster of the Wells & French Car Co. 

He married Miss Carolina G. Wilson. They have five children, John H., 
married to Nellie Reed, of Savannah. Ga.; Eleanor G., married to Geo. W. 
( kmld, of Chicago; Adele L., married to John S. Driver, of Riverside; Sarah 
M. and Julian Magill Kinzie. They have three grandchildren. 

GEORGE KING. 

Genial, jovial, happy and good-natured George King was a general 
favorite with the whole batter}-. Always' as ready for work as for play, he 
never shirked a duty or missed a skirmish or battle. He enlisted with a 
majority of the earliest members on the 19th of April, 1861, re-enlisting July 
16 following, and served faithfully and well three years and three months, 
without receiving a serious wound or injury, and was mustered out July 23, 
[864. He was born Feb. 2$, 1836, in Amherst, N. A., and lived there on a 
farm until seventeen years old, when, acting on the advice of Horace 
Greeley to "go West, young man," he came to Chicago and located, working 
as machinist and engineer. Since the war he worked at the same trade, 
principally, fourteen years of the time being in that employ with the Elgin 
National Watch Co., at Elgin. 111. He died in that city July 14. 1898, leaving 
a widow, Mrs. Mary King, to whom he was married in Elgin. He left no 
children, but one son and two daughters by a former marriage with Miss 
Martha Williams, who died in 1885, survive him. He also had one grand- 
child. 

MR. AND MRS. MARTIN N. KIM BELT, SR. 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin N. Kimbell. Sr., were the parents of the three Kim- 
bell brothers that served in the battery during the civil war. They were 
both natives of the State of New York, and came West to Chicago in 1836. 
They became acquainted after their arrival, and were married in 1837 an< ^ 
at once settled on a wild prairie farm of 160 acres, which Mr. Kimbell had 
bought of the government, live miles northwest of the site of the present 
courthouse. Here they lived tor the remainder of their lives, over sixty 
years, rearing a family of six sons and two daughters to maturity, enduring 
and overcoming all the hardships and privations of early pioneer life, and 
enjoying a comfortable home and competency in their declining years, sur- 
rounded by their numerous descendants. They had witnessed the marvel- 
ous growth and development of Chicago, growing from a frontier Indian 
trading post to be the second city of the nation. They always took an active 
interest in educational matters. The first school in their district, organized 
in the early '40s, was taught in their own humble home, which consisted of 
but two rooms, and the first two seasons they boarded the teacher gratui- 




EDWARD HUGHES. 



HIS TOR V OF BA TTER Y il A." 171 



tously. Scholars came from a distance of one to three miles across the open 
prairie, and when the weather was severe, they frequently remained with the 
Kimbells all night. As they prospered and their home was improved and 
enlarged, it was a much frequented resort for a multitude of friends, and 
old and young came there always sure of a warm welcome and a visit of 
good cheer. Mr. Kimhell was a public-spirited citizen, always ready to aid 
in forwarding every good endeavor and to extend general education and 
id government, lie was one of the original founders of the Republican 
party, and remained a stanch and consistent member of that party till his 
death, lie was a Universalis! in religious belief, and contributed liberally 
toward the building up of three churches of that faith in Chicago. I le never 
aspired to political honors, though often urged to do so. 1 le served in minor 
public offices for many years, especially as school officer for thirty years, 
lie was a member of the first Board i*\ Supervisors of Cook County, and 
served as Deputy Sheriff for a short time under his lifelong friend. Sheriff 
|ohn Cray. When the war broke out he took a firm and unflinching stand 
in support of the government, and when war was declared he gave his tearful 
consent to the enlistment of Ids oldest -on. Charles I'... in Battery "A," and 
a year later his second and third sons, Julius W. and Spencer S., followed 
with like consent. The interest that Mr. Kimbell always took- in the battery, 
from the beginning till the close of the war, justly gained for him the title 
of "Father of the Battery." I le devoted months of Ins time in visiting them 
in the field, and after every severe battle would go immediately to the front 
and assist in caring for the wounded and sick. Me served gratuitously as 
hospital steward on the Mississippi River hospital boats the greater part 
of two winters. He. with Airs. Mar\ A. Livermore and Thomas B. Bryan, 
organized the Sanitary Commission in Chicago, which did such valuable 
and efficient work all through the war. Mrs. Kimbell was not behind her 
noble husband in doing her share to cheer and sustain the boys in doing their 
patriotic duty. During the early part of the war, when the battery was 
accessible for home supplies, scared)- a week passed that a box of dainties, 
jelly, jam and a nice jar of golden butter, all made by her own hands, did 
not rind its way to the boys in cam]), and many a sick boy, tired of army sup- 
plies, remembers the appetizing things sent by her, which were always gen- 
erously divided. A barrel of currant wine, made from fruit in her own gar- 
den by herself, was sent to the Sanitary Commission for the hospitals. 
When the battery was in camp at Vicksburg, in April, 1863, the boys, wish- 
in-- to show their appreciation and esteem for Mr. Kimbell. procured a beau- 
tiful gold-headed cane, and had it suitably inscribed and sent to him, ac- 
companied by the following letter. The cane is now in the possession of 
his son, Spencer S., and will always be prized as a precious heirloom by his 
descendants: 




EDWARD JOHNSON. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A" 173 



"Camp of Company 'A,' Chicago Light Artillery, 

"Before Vicksburg, April 12, 1863. 

"Dear Sir — During the lung and weary months we have been absent 
from our homes, battling for our country's honor, the evidences of your 
kindness and regard have never been absent from us. 

"We realize how you have watched over our interests and cared for 
ns, sick and wounded, with a tender care and a never-wearying zeal. 

"We appreciate your noble efforts in our behalf, and can never repay 
them — the reward of such deeds is in the Almighty's hands. 

'"hermit us, however, to offer yon this cane, a slight testimonial of our 
regard, hoping that you may carry it many years, and that it may support the 
declining steps of an honored old age. Co ' \ ' C L A 

"ToM. N. Kimbell." 

Mrs. Kimbell was in poor health for many years in the latter part of 
her life, and passed away in her old home, in her 8Tst year, Nov. 24, 1896, 
nearly two years after the death of her husband. Mr. Kimbell. being of a 
>trong and vigorous constitution, enjoyed good health until about the vear 
[890, when he began to have trouble with his feet, which gradually devel- 
oped into gangrene. This continued to increase steadily until, in January, 
[895, it was decided by a council of physicians, that, in order to save, or even 
prolong his life and relieve the intense suffering he was enduring, it would 
be necessary to amputate his left leg above the knee. This was accordingly 
done, with his full consent, and with the hope on the part of his family that 
his otherwise robust constitution would enable him to rally from the opera- 
tion, lint his advanced age of 83 years was against him, and he sank grad- 
ually until the end, which came Feb. 13, 1895. The last years of the lives of 
thi> worthy couple were spent in quiet retirement, surrounded by their nu- 
merous family, enjoying the fruits of an early life of hard and honest labor, 
combined with temperance, benevolence and frugality, useful and exem- 
plary lives, well worthy of emulation by rising generations. 

CHARLES BILL KTMP.ELL. 

The eldest of the three Kimbell brothers serving in Battery "A" was 
Charles B. He was born Dec. 6, 1839, on tne Iarm which was the Kimbell 
homestead for over sixty years, now in the city of Chicago. His school edu- 
cation was obtained in the primitive district schools in the neighborhood, 
working on the farm during the summer seasons and doing his share in 
assisting his parents in maintaining a home and caring for the younger chil- 
dren of the family. He finished up his studies with a course at Bryant & 
Stratton's Commercial College, from which he graduated in the spring of 
[858. When but 16 years of age he engaged to teach a small country school 
at "Whisky Point." which he taught one summer, receiving the princely 
salary of $8 per month and board. His services were appreciated sum- 




LEWIS F. JACOBS. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 175 

ciently to command a re-engagement the following summer at the sur- 
prisingly munificent salary of $18 per mouth. The third summer school was 
offered him at the same rate, but his inclinations were more for active busi- 
ness, and in the spring of [857 lie secured a place with the stone firm of 
Singer & Talcott, in Chicago, as weigh-boy in their yard. Here he found his 
life work, as he remained with this company and its successors for thirty- 
three years, filling every position in the business, from weigh-boy to presi- 
dent and general manager, lie also became interested with his brothers in 
the brick business, the Purington ev Kimbell Brick Co., and the Chicago 
Hydraulic Press Prick Co., all leading firms in their lines. In [889 his 
health began to fail, his ailment being stomach trouble, with which he is 
still afflicted, though not to the extent that he was a few years ago. In 1892 
he was obliged to retire from active business on account of his health, though 
still retaining all his business interests, and being retained in the directory 
of the Western Stone Co., which succeeded his old company. He enlisted 
in the battery April [9, 1 86 1 . served three months and re-enlisted July 16, 
[861. He returned on a ten-day furlough at that time, the first few days of 
which he did not enjoy to the fullest extent, on account of not being able to 
-leep 011 a soft bed at night. At his father's suggestion he tried sleeping on 
the floor, with only a blanket over the carpet, and he found immediate relief 
from restlessness and wakefulness. He remained with the battery till the 
battle of Shiloh, where he was severely wounded in the afternoon of the 
first day by being shot with a one-ounce minie ball in the left leg. Six other 
members of his squad were wounded at the same time in saving their gun 
from being captured. Mr. Kimbell ami one other comrade. P. P. Nelson. 
are the only survivors of the seven wounded, all the others, sooner or later. 
passing on to their reward. 1 le lay in a tent pitched in a corn stubble, on the 
hanks of the Tennessee River, all the first night, along with many others, 
some of whom died during the night. His comrade and chum. A. V. Pitts, 
attended to him as best he could until the next afternoon, when he was 
placed on a hospital steamer and taken with a large number of other wound- 
ed to Mound City Hospital. lie had telegraphed his father from Paducah, 
and he at once started and met his son at the hospital, where he remained 
with him. assisting to care for him and other wounded boys of the battery 
for two weeks, and helped save Charles' leg from being amputated, which 
operation had been decided upon by the surgeons as necessary to save his 
life. The high water of the ( )hio and Mississippi rivers forced the abandon- 
ment of the Mound City Hospital, and Mr. Kimbell secured a special car of 
die P C. R. R. Co.. and. with a Hat boat, took his son and four other 
wounded battery boys from the second story of the hospital and poled the 
boat to Villa Ridge, which was as far as the cars could run on account of 
the high water. The cots were shoved throusfh the car windows with the 




WILLIAM II. TOHNSON. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "//." 177 



boys on them, and placed on top of the backs of the seats, and in this manner 
brought to Chicago, a distance of 365 miles, where they were received by 
kind and loving friends, who did all in their power to assist in their recovery. 
By September Charles had recovered sufficiently to be able to get about 
quite comfortably with a cane, and in this condition rejoined the battery at 
Memphis, taking his two younger brothers and seven others along with him 
as recruits. His wound did not improve as favorably as he had hoped in 
camp, and when he went with the battery on the Cold Water expedition, he 
found he could not endure the privations of field service, and when the ex- 
pedition returned to Memphis he was discharged for disability, Nov. to, 1862, 
and returned to his home. He married Miss Almira H. Bartholomew Oct. 
to, 1863. They have two sons. Sherman T. and Horace M., both married, 
and one daughter. Sarah M., living at home. They lived in Chicago until 
1893, when his failing health compelled his removal, and he removed to 
Hinsdale, a beautiful suburb of Chicago, seventeen miles from the city, where 
he has built and fitted up a beautiful and comfortable home, with large 
-rounds and gardens, set out with fruit and shade trees and shrubbery. 
Here, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, he finds his greatest 
comfort, and with partially restored health he hopes to continue the struggle: 
of life till called home, lie has always kept up an active interest in his old 
army comrades, and has been the Secretary of the Battery Veteran Associa- 
tion since its organization, lie is a member of C. S. Grant Post, Xo. 28, 
I I. A. R., Chicago, and of the Union Veteran Club, of which he was once 
Vice President. He is a life member of Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, A., F. 
Cv A. M. He joined the Second L T niversalist Church Society of Chicago in 
1851), and still retains his membership in that society, lie is serving his 
third term as President of the Hoard of Trustees of Unity Church (Uni- 
tarian) of Hinsdale, and since living in Hinsdale was elected and served a 
term of two years in the Village Board of Trustees. His last work has been 
the writing of the history of his old battery, which, although a great under- 
taking in his condition of health, has been such a labor of love that he has 
really improved under it. and feels amply repaid for his labors by the many 
flattering and grateful expressions of thankfulness for his efforts from all his 
comrades and main- of their friends. 

JULIUS WADSWORTH KIMBELL. 

The first break in a band of six brothers, all grown to manhood and 
past the middle age. maintaining the closest brotherly relations, was made 
by the sudden taking off of the second brother, Julius W. Kimbell, at his 
home in Chicago, July [J, [897. He died suddenly of heart disease, the 
bereavement to his family and friends falling all the heavier from the ab- 
sence of knowledge of the sad fact that there were reasons for anticipating 




HARRISON KELLEY 



HIS TOR ] r OF BA TTER Y • '^. " 1 79 

a sudden approaching departure. He was a quiet and unassuming- man; 
such hours as were not given to business were spent in the dearly enjoyed 
companionship of his family and intimate friends. He belonged to no clubs 
or secret societies, preferring the happiness of the delights of domestic life. 
He was born on the old Kimbell homestead in Chicago, Feb. 6, 1841, and 
lived and died within a few rods of the spot where he was born. He enlisted 
in the battery in August, 1862, and served with it until after the battle of 
Arkansas Post, where he was severely injured by the windage- of a cannon 
shot, and was discharged on account of the injury, and returned home. In 
January, 1864, he had sufficiently recovered to rejoin the battery, which he 
did at Larkinsville, Ala., and served till the close of the war. He was de- 
tailed on detached service in the < )rdnance Department, and went through 
with Sherman on his march from "Atlanta to the Sea." He was sent via New 
York to Washington, where he was mustered out at the close of the war and 
returned home. For the first few years he remained on the farm, then as- 
sociated with his brothers in the brick business, continuing his connection 
and being actively engaged up to the very day of his death. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Libbie A. Cummings, March 14, 1889. Two sweet little daugh- 
ters blessed the union, and, with their widowed mother, live in the pleasant 
little home he had prepared for them. He had won an enviable record, not 
only as a gallant soldier, but as a reliable, honorable and upright business 
man and citizen. He had always kept himself closely in touch with his old 
army comrades, many of whom showed their respect to his memorv by at- 
tending his funeral services, at which Comrade Rexford was present and 
sounded "taps" in a very feeling manner, that added greatly to the im- 
pressiveness of the services. At the annual reunion in September following 
his death, the association adopted the following beautiful and touching me- 
moriam: 

"In memoriam of Julius W. Kimbell. Again has the grim conqueror 
invaded our ranks. Since we last met he has called our loved friend and com- 
rade, Julius W. Kimbell, from the midst of loving friends, suddenly, after his 
last good-night to his little ones. 

"Surely it was a bright and shining mark that was selected to sadden 
our reunion, for in this gentle, kind and brave comrade, one ever ready with 
sympathy, with words of cheer for friends, and with a smile and a welcome 
for every duty, however hard or dangerous, we will miss him sadly. 

"It was said at the battle of Shiloh the instructions to the enemy were to 
shoot to wound, as it would require two men to help the wounded man from 
the field. Our Secretary, Charles B. Kimbell, was wounded there, and was 
carried from the field, not by two comrades, but on the limber of his gun. 
drawn by the one surviving horse, and the response to the shot that disabled 
the elder brother was two more Kimbells to take his place, one of them the 
friend we mourn to-day, and better, braver soldiers never followed the flag. 

"ft was a custom in the battery, when on a march, for the dismounted 
men to walk ahead of the command and await its coming, resting. 




CORNELIUS KENDALL. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY '•/*." 181 



"These comrades, who have left us are not lost to us, but have gone on 
before and are resting, waiting for the battery to come up. Let us look 
forward to the meeting, the greatest reunion, and the last of old Batterv 
'A.'" 



SPENCER SMALLEY KIMBELL. 

The youngest of the three Kimbell brothers serving in the battery was 
Spencer S. Kimbell. lie was horn ( let. 8, [842, on the Kimbell homestead 
farm, in the city of Chicago, and the home in which he now lives is within a 
few hundred feet of where he was horn. His school education was acquired 
in the district school, with a course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial Col- 
lege. His first work away from home was with the stone firm of Singer & 
Talcott, with whom he began when seventeen years of age, and with his 
brother, Charles B., was connected with the same firm for twenty-one years. 
Me then bought an interest in the Excelsior Stone Co., which he managed 
for five years, when he formed a partnership with D. V. Purington in the 
brick manufacturing business, which has been his line of work ever since. 
Mr is now and has been for nine years the general manager of the Chicago 
Hydraulic Press Brick Co., one of the largest firms in the West. As a busi- 
ness man he has been eminently successful, and by strictly honest, legitimate 
and honorable methods, has amassed a comfortable fortune of earthly treas- 
ures, and established for himself a character for honesty, integrity, sound 
judgment and punctuality among his business associates, and throughout 
the great city of his birth, and his word is regarded as good as his bond. 
As a true citizen of this great Republic he recognizes fully his responsibilities 
and duties as such, and has taken an active and intelligent interest in public 
affairs, and has sought to wield a worthy influence in behalf of honest gov- 
ernment and honorable and legitimate methods. He has held several po- 
litical offices, though never of his own seeking. He was School Director 
for four years, Village Trustee two years, Township Treasurer seven years. 
Count}' Commissioner two terms, and member of the City Council two 
years. He has always given the same careful attention to public business 
entrusted to his hands that he has to his own. He enlisted in Battery "A," 
Aug. 6. 1862. and joined the battery at Memphis, Tenn., remaining with it 
continuously till the close of the war. never missing an hour's duty, or a 
inarch or engagement, and never having a moment's sickness, and returned 
home stronger and healthier than when he enlisted. He joined the battery 
as private, was promoted to first sergeant and to Second Lieutenant, with 
which rank he was mustered out July 10, 1865. He was married Sept. 6, 
[864, to Miss Isabella I'. Millard. They have four children living. Mrs. Lucy 
Kimbell Heafield and Mrs. Fanny Kimbell Binyon, and Florence and Mary 
Kimbell. The married daughters live close by their father's home, and 




T. W. KENNEDY. 



If! STORY OF BATTERY "//." 18» 



three lively little grandchildren brighten their homes and gladden their 
hearts. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, is a member of Ben Butler 
Post, G. A. R., and of the Chicago Union Veteran Club. It is needless to 
say that he is and always has been a stanch and uncompromising Republican 
in national politics. He is a Universalis in religious belief, and has been 
connected with the Third Universalist Church of Chicago for over ten years. 
He has served continuously on its Hoard of Trustees. 

FREDERICK B. LEAVITT. 

No member of Battery "A" will ever forget genial, clever "Old Mor- 
pheus," as Fred. B. Leavitt was affectionately christened by his comrades, 
from his ability to put in more sleep when off duty, with less effort, than any 
other member of the battery. This happy trait would not apply to him in 
any respect when on duty, however, as a more ready and willing worker did 
not belong to the company. Fred, was born at St. Charles, 111., Oct. 6, 1840. 
After he was old enough to attend school he moved to Chicago, where he 
went to the public school, and one year at college till 1861. He left college 
to learn the brick-making trade with his uncle at Bark Ridge, 111. He left 
this employment to enlist as private in the battery July 16, 1861, at Chicago. 
He was with the battery in every engagement during his three years of ser- 
vice, which was continuous, excepting a thirty-day furlough after the siege 
of Jackson, and was mustered out July 23, 1864, at Springfield, 111. He mar- 
ried Miss Jessie F. Dannells Feb. 6. 1883, and has one daughter. The first 
two years after the war he was in business in Chicago, since which time he 
has followed railroading, at which he is still employed. He lives in Austin, 
a suburb of Chicago. 

JAMES HENRY LONG. 

One of Chicago's most substantial and reliable citizens is J. H. Long. 
He is well known in railroad circles, and has established a large and pros- 
perous business as dealer in railroad supplies. He is enjoying success and 
the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has social or business rela- 
tions. He was born in Chicago March 5, 1844, and was one of the youngest 
members of the battery, in which he was enlisted as private in February, 1862, 
at Chicago, by Major Willard. Fie attended the public and high schools of 
the city, and at the time of his enlistment was working as teller in a bank. 
He participated with the battery in all its battles from April, 1862, to March, 
[865. I le was ordnance sergeant of the Fifteenth Army Corps from August, 
1862, to 1865, when he was mustered out at the expiration of his term of 
enlistment. He was married to Miss Belle Johnson, of Galena, in 1807, and 
resides in a pleasant home at 4735 Kimbark avenue. 




SAMPSON KENNEDY 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 185 



WILLIAM LOWE. 

William Lowe was born in New York City, Dec. 21, 1838. He came to 
Chicago when a youth, where he attended school till sixteen years old, when 
he went as roclman for James 1 'otter, a civil engineer. After two years' ser- 
vice with him, he worked as assistant engineer with the same gentleman. 
He was so engaged when he enlisted as private in the battery, April 16, 1861. 
lie served with it for three full years, from "start to finish," and was mus- 
tered out July 28, 1864. After his return from the army he engaged with 
the city of Chicago in the sewerage department, as assistant engineer, up to 
June 1, 1895, when he was appointed principal engineer. In October, 1896, 
he was made expert engineer, and in 1897 was appointed to the responsible 
position of Engineer in charge of the division of intercepting sewers of the 
city, which position he holds at the present time. He married Miss Kate 
E. Fish, in September, 1865. They have one daughter. His picture shows 
him as he looked when forty-five years old. He is now in his sixty-first year. 
though much younger appearing. 

CHARLES A. LAMB. 

The veteran of the battery in years, as well as in wisdom, experience 
and goodness, which were commensurate with his age, was (diaries A. 
Lamb. He passed away at his home in Albion, Mich., Sept. 23, 1893. in his 
seventy-ninth year. He had attended an annual reunion of the battery in 
Chicago exactly two weeks before, at which time his feeble condition made 
it painfully apparent to his comrades that he would undoubtedly soon be 
called to answer the last roll call. So, while his taking off was sudden, it was 
not entirely unexpected, and it was a great satisfaction to his comrades, as it 
was a pleasure to him, to have met so many of them so short a time before 
his departure. To all the members of the battery he seemed like a father, or 
an older brother. While he made no loud professions of piety or morality, 
his daily life was a constant example worthy of emulation. His patriotism, 
zeal and energy were not excelled by any of the younger members, and his 
words of counsel and advice were ever ready for and and heeded by them. 

He was born in Salisbury, Conn., Aug. 21, 1815, where he lived till 
early manhood, when he went to Albany, X. V.. and learned the cabinet- 
maker's trade. He afterwards moved to Maumee, ( )hio, where for several 
years he carried on the furniture business on his own account. Here he 
built up a good business, and had a cosy home, and had a number of men in 
his employ. As this place (now South Toledo), was only ten miles from 
Toledo, he, with numbers of others, moved their establishments to Toledo, 
where he opened a store, on Summit street. The sinking of a cargo of fur- 
niture he had purchased from Buffalo, uninsured, ruined him financiallv. and 




GEORGE KING. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 187 

he was ever after a salesman or manager for others in that line, which was 
his life business. After closing up his affairs in Toledo he came to Chicago. 
On the 19th of April. 1861, he enlisted in Battery "A." in Chicago, served 
three months as artificer, and re-enlisted for three years, July 16, 1861. He 
served continuously and faithfully the full term of his enlistment, and was 
mustered out July 2$, 1864. On his return to Chicago he was met at the 
depot by his former employer, who had always been a warm friend of Mr. 
Lamb. He informed him his place was ready and waiting for him, and he 
began work the next day. without loss of time. In October, 1865, he began 
work in the employ of Charles Tobey, a large furniture dealer. In May, 
1870, he went to Omaha to take charge of a branch establishment in that 
city for the Thayer & Tobey Furniture Co., where he remained nearly two 
years. Returning to Chicago early in 1872, he took a position with the fur- 
niture concern of A. L. Hale & Bro.. which he rilled for nearly two years. 
From Chicago he removed to Albion. Mich., where he lived in quiet retire- 
ment until his death. His wives were estimable ladies, from Sharon, Conn., 
adjoining his own native town. Flis widow. Matilda Benedict Lamb, sur- 
vives him, and now resides at Sharon. He had one daughter, two sons, and 
two grandsons. His daughter. Anne C. resides in Xew York City, where 
she has been a teacher in private schools for nearly twenty years. One son, 
Fred Reed Lamb, has lived in Chicago since early youth. He was also a 
soldier in the Union army about a year, and since the war has been in the 
employ of Selz, Schwab & Co., extensive boot and shoe manufacturers. An- 
other son is George A. Lamb, of Xew Haven. Conn. Mr. Lamb's remains 
were buried in his native town of Salisbury, Conn. 

FRAXCIS MORGAX. 

A great deal of the efficiency of the battery can be attributed to its 
early training and discipline under Lieutenant, afterward Captain, Francis 
Morgan. He was one of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, 
born in Surrey, near London. England, July 3, 1837 '. and came to Chicago 
with his parents in 1844, and that city was his home during the remainder of 
his life. After coming to Chicago he was placed in Russell's Military School 
at Xew Haven. Conn., and there took a full course of an education the line 
of which he followed almost constantly during his life. His tastes were 
almost wholly confined to military lore, and when the war broke out he was 
particularly well fitted to do good service for his adopted country. He 
joined the batter}' in Chicago. April 19. 1861, serving the three months' term 
and re-enlisting July, 1801. for three years in the same command. Not 
being of a strong physical nature, his health succumbed to the hardships 
of the campaign, and while the battery was stationed at Paducah, Ky., he was 
forced to return home on a sick furlough. Before he had fully recovered 




MR. AND MRS. M. N. KIMBELL. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A.'' 189 



he returned to the battery just before the advance on Fort Donelson. Par- 
ticipating in that battle he was again stricken down with sickness and was 
sent home just before the battle of Shiloh, and resigning his commission as 
Captain, and his poor health continuing, did not again enter the service, 
i [e rendered valuable service during the Chicago railroad riots in 1887, being 
on the Governor's staff at that time. Previous to this he had been on the 
staff of Governor Beveridge. He died at 193 Michigan avenue, "The Beau- 
rivage," a building which he named. Aug. 6. 1897. The Loyal Legion, of 
which he was an old and active member, had charge of his funeral. As a 
charter member of the Chicago Club he made the club his residence for a 
number of years. He had never married. Among his army comrades and 
friends he was held in the highest esteem as a thorough gentleman and a 
man whose integrity of character and innate honesty had never been ques- 
tioned. 

thomas a. Mcknight. 

The Eleventh Indiana Infantry Regiment contributed one valuable 
member to the battery, in the person of Thomas A. McKnight, who was de- 
tailed from Company "B," of that regiment, at Paducah, l\y., in September, 
! 1861, by order of General U. S. < I rant, to serve as blacksmith in the battery, 
lie had only enlisted the month before, but, being a first-class blacksmith, 
he preferred working at his trade when he could do so and be serving his 
country at the same time. He remained with the battery, doing faithful 
duty, until the expiration of his term of enlistment, and was then mustered 
out at Atlanta, ( ia. After his discharge he went to Covington, Ind., where 
lie resinned work at his trade, also dealing in horses. He married Miss Helen 
\. < iish in 1867. They have four children, all girls. He was born in Middle- 
town, < >hio. \pril 7, 1838. 

GE< )RGE McCAGG. 

Less than two years after the close of the war one of the most honored 
and beloved members of the battery, George McCagg, passed away at his 
home in Chicago. His health and constitution had been undermined by his 
three years and three months' hard and faithful service in the battery, and 
the hope of his friends that a change to his home climate, and proper care and 
treatment might work a cure, was not realized, and he passed to the higher 
life April 8, 1867. George McCagg was a true, natural-born gentleman, and 
a brave and faithful soldier, a noble example of the two qualities being com- 
bined in the same individual, without ostentation, or the giving of offense 
to his associates. He was born in Hudson, Columbia County, Xew York. 
July 22, 1831. He lived the early years of his life with his father on a farm 




CHARLES B. KIMBELL. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "/*." 19 1 

in Stockport, in the same county, and later on came to Chicago and engaged 
in the lumber business, and was so occupied when the war broke out. He 
• enlisted in the battery in Chicago, April 19, 1861, was appointed corporal, 
and served through the three months' service. He re-enlisted for three 
years July 16, 1861 , and served the full term of his enlistment, being mus- 
tered out in July, 1864, as Lieutenant. He had, previous to his promotion 
as Lieutenant, served as quartermaster sergeant, succeeding E. P. Tobey, 
who was promoted to Lieutenant. He passed through the entire service 
without any serious injuries, though he had some very narrow escapes. His 
horse was shot from under him and killed at the battle of Arkansas Post. He 
was as cool and brave a soldier as the army contained. Captain Wood, in 
his official reports of the battles of Shiloh and Arkansas Post, made especial 
mention of him and the part he bore in those engagements. He was offered 
a position by General Sherman on his staff, and. while appreciating the 
honor, respectfully declined, preferring, as he expressed it, to remain with 
the "boys," to whom he was greatly attached, and which attachment was 
fully reciprocated. He died unmarried, and his remains were taken to 
Stockport, N. Y., and buried with those of his parents. 

JAMES W. MILNER. 

Xo member of the batten- was better known or more universally well 
liked by all his comrades than James W. Milner. Those who have never 
stood side by side, elbow to elbow together, behind or beside our country's 
flag, while following it amid the scenes of battle and strife, can little under- 
stand the emotions that fill the heart and cause the eyes to dim of one who is 
left to write of a comrade's worth, patriotism and valor, while serving during 
th< ise terrible years of civil war. He was born at Kingston, ( hitario, Canada, 
Jan. 11, 1841. and came to Chicago with his parents at an early age. While 
a youth he traveled and studied for a while with the Rev. Dr. Goodfellow. 
lie then entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, and was a stu- 
dent in that institution in 1862 when he enlisted as private in the batterv in 
Chicago, serving the entire three-year term of his enlistment, and was mus- 
tered out Aug. 24, 1864. 

He was always at his post, ever ready and willing. As a friend and 
brother soldier, in camp or field, he was "true blue," ever kind and obliging, 
honorable to a fault, and always a gentleman. It can be truly said he was 
beloved by every officer and private in our battery. At the terrible battle 
of Atlanta, on July 22, 1864. when almost a hand to hand encounter was 
being enacted, and so many of our brave boys were captured, he mirac- 
ulously escaped, although the last man to leave the gun. He had always said 
he would as soon be killed as to be captured and perhaps starve to death in 




JULIUS W. KIMBELL. 



HISTTOR J ' OF BA TER \ ' ' v/. M 193 

some rebel slaughter pen. This resolve possibly led him to take some des- 
perate chances to escape, which others would not have taken. 

While the battery was in camp at Larkinsville, during- the winter of 
[864, he contributed more than any other member, in dispelling the blues 
and rendering camp-life endurable, if not enjoyable, by writing and placing 
upon the boards a play for the theatrical combination of which he was 
President and Fred S. Church scenic artist. It proved a great attraction and 
success. After being mustered out he returned home, and later on was ap- 
pointed Department United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, in 
which position he rendered very efficient service until his death, which oc- 
curred at Waukegan, 111., Jan. 6, [880. Prof. Baird, of the Smithsonian In- 
stitution, in writing to his widow at the time of his death, said: "He was the 
best posted man in fish culture in the United States, and the eyes of the fish 
world were upon him." I le and his family were always proud, and justly so, 
of the fact that after the publication of the first Government Report, the 
Northwestern University recognized his literary accomplishments by con- 
ferring upon him a degree, the only instance in which an undergraduate 
had been so honored, lie was married to Miss Sarah Fay, at Waukegan, 
111., Jan. 1, 1872, bv whom he had two daughters, who. with their widowed 
mother, survive him. and now reside in Chicago. 



EDWARD MENDSEN. 

One of the oldest and most prominent lumber men of Chicago is Ed- 
ward Mendsen, of Evanston, 111. lie was a member of the battery when the 
war broke out, having joined in 1856 and continued his membership. He 
served during the three months' service as orderly sergeant, and was in 
charge of the gun squad and was stationed at l'>ig Muddy Bridge in the be- 
ginning of the war. The boys had no tents while there, and Mendsen's 
shelter was an old hollow tree. I le was mustered out at the end of the three 
months' service, his term of enlistment having expired. lie was born in 
Cherry ville, Pa., Dec. 31, 1834. and lived on a farm there until fifteen years 
old, when he came to Chicago in August. [849. He served an apprentice- 
ship of three years with Welch & Launder, carriage manufacturers, receiving 
the princely salary of $25 per year and board. In i86t he was in partnership 
with his brother. J. F. Mendsen. in a carriage manufactory, at the corner 
of Ann and Randolph streets. They closed out their business in [863, and 
Edward entered the lumber business, which he is still successfully engaged 
in. He married Mary E. Boggs Oct. 17. [861, and has three children and 
eight grandchildren. Mrs. Mendsen died in 1874, and he married Mrs. 
James 1). Kline for a second wife, in Maw 1884. and resides in Evanston, 111. 




SPENCER S. KIMBELL. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 195 

LEWIS B. MITCHELL. 

A war record of which any comrade may well be proud is the one made 
by Lewis B. Mitchell, now residing at No. 50 Astor street. Chicago. He 
was born at Akron. ( )hio, Ma\ 6, 1841. where he lived until 1852. when he 
went to Chicago and remained there until the war broke out. and has resided 
there since the war. He was clerk in the general freight office of the Illinois 
Central Railroad at the time of his enlistment as private in the battery, 
April 17. 1801. He served in squad six through the three months' service, 
and re-enlisted July 16, [86l, for three years. Soon after his re-enlistment 
he received a Lieutenant's commission (Junior First), in Campbell's Bat- 
tery, and later was appointed Senior First Lieutenant in Battery "H," First 
Illinois Artillery. He was Captain and A. D. C. to General Logan, and was 
breveted .Major U. S. V. Me was mustered out by general order from the 
War Department Sept. 6, [865, the war having ended. He married Miss 
Xettie Hodman, of Fort Atkinson, Wis., has had two daughters, one living. 
He has been engaged in the commission business on the Hoard of Trade, 
and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large number of comrades and 
business associates. 

C( )NANT C< )NRAD NELS< )N. 

( )f the seven members of squad two wounded in the first day's tight at 
Shiloh in saving their gun. two only survive, the subject of this brief sketch, 
and C. B. Kimhell. They have not seen each other since the fateful day, 
and for many years the comrades of the battery lost all trace of Comrade 
Xelson. but of late years correspondence has brought them near each other, 
and he is living in hopes of meeting with them in person in the near future. 
He was born in Lewis, Fssex County, New York. May 24. [831, on his 
father's farm. Here he grew up from childhood, attending the district school 
and working on the farm, until 1845. when he went to Burlington, Vt.. and 
went to work as an errand boy, and subsequently as clerk, until [847. He 
then went into a law office in Syracuse, but that work not being to his taste, 
he again went to work in a dry goods and general grocery store. After a few 
vears he came West and went on the road as a traveling salesman for the 
large dry goods firm of Bowen Bros., having the Northern and Western 
States for his territory. He had just come in from a trip about the middle of 
April, 1861. and was invoicing preparatory to starting out again when the 
war fever broke out and took hold of him strong, and he enlisted in the bat- 
tery April 10 and left the city with it on the 21st for Cairo. He re-enlisted 
July 16. 1861. for three years, and was in the service as private up to and in- 
cluding the first days' fight at Shiloh. Here he was severely wounded late in 
the afternoon, a ball entering his left arm near the elbow, and passing down 




FRED. B. LEAVITT. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 197 

into the wrist, where it was extracted two weeks after by Dr. Taylor, of Chi- 
cago, who was boat surgeon on the boat that carried a large number of the 
wounded to the hospitals at Evansville and Paducah. His wound was probed 
in a log cabin hospital on the battlefield the night he was wounded, but the 
bullet was not found, and he was put on a steamer and taken down to Sa- 
vannah. He was placed in a building on a brick floor, with no blanket, and 
did not sleep for two nights, and suffered excruciating pain from his wound, 
lb- was taken to the hospital at Evansville, Ind., from which he was dis- 
charged on account of his wound June r6, 1862. He then went to Chicago 
for a short time. Since the war. except about ten years when conducting a 
small business for himself, he has been a government clerk, and at present is 
a clerk in the Pension Office. He was married to Miss Jane Chute, of In- 
diana, who died ( >ct. 1. [898, leaving him a widower with two girls and a 
hoy. the eldest seventeen years of age. 1 [e lives in Maryland, six miles from 
Washington, and finds his time fully occupied at work and going back and 
forth. 

ALFRED W. PENDLET( )N. 

The State of "wooden nutmegs" furnished a goodly number of native 
sons for Battery "A," among them being Alfred \Y. Pendleton. He was 
born in Norwich, Conn., July 1. 1837, and passed his early years in Con- 
necticut on a farm. Pie came to Chicago, and at the breaking out of the 
war was a member of the tire department. He quit the service of the city 
in fighting fire to undertake the more perilous service of fighting for his 
country, and enlisted in Patter}- "A."' Aug. 6, [862, in Chicago. He served 
as private, postillion and sergeant, in which rank he was serving when mus- 
tered out in July, 1865, at the close of the war. He was severely wounded 
in the breast by fragments of a shell before Vicksburg, July 3, 1863, which 
was the only injury he received in the service. Returning to Chicago at the 
close of the war he re-entered the service of the fire department, and served 
Ins time till pensioned and retired. He married and has two children and 
one grandchild. 

JAMES PHILLIPS. 

To be the hero and a veteran of two wars is a distinction which but a few 
of tlie members of Battery "A"' could claim. Among those who could was 
James Phillips. He enlisted in the Mexican war in 1848 and served nine 
months, the closing of the war terminating his service. He was born in 
Michigan Nov. 17, J 825. and his childhood and youth were spent in his 
native State and New York. He came to Chicago in 1851, and at the break- 
ing out of the war was truckman for the large foundry concern of P. W. 




JAMES HENRY LONG. 



HIS TOR \ ' OF BA TTER V "A." 1 99 



Gates. He enlisted in the battery in Chicago, |ul\ 28, [861, as private, and 
served as postillion till mustered out at the end of Ids term of enlistment, 
July 23, [864. He was married to Miss Mary Barns before the war. They 
had four children, one of whom died during his lifetime, lie was driver in 
the city fire department for eleven years after the war, then with the Michi- 
gan Southern road till his death, lie died in Chicago, March 27, 1893, and 
was buried in < >ak\voods Cemetery. At the time of his death he had three- 
children, four living grandchildren and cue great-grandchild. I lis widow 
still lives in Chicagi 1. 

AURELIUS VKR.\< >N PITTS. 

( >n the 1st of March. [895, there passed from the ranks of the survivors 
of ''Battery "A" one of its most esteemed and popular members. A. V. Pitts. 
He died at his home in Chicago on that day. after having been a sufferer 
from poor health for many months. He left a devoted wife and a fifteen- 
year old son surviving him. He was born in Winthrop, Maine. < )ct. 3, [836. 
In 1849, with his father's family, he came to Illinois, and located at Vlton, 
where they remained two years. They came to Chicago in [85] and estab- 
lished a plant for the manufacturing of the celebrated Pitts threshing ma- 
chines, of which his father, Hiram A. Pitts, was tin inventor. They also 
manufactured horse powers and other farm implements. I lis father died 
in i860, after which the sons, A. V. Pitts and three brothers, took charge of 
the works. After the great Chicago fire the works were removed to Mar- 
seilles. 111. Aurelius was fifteen years old when he came to Chicago. He 
received his primal'}' education in his native city, and afterwards attended 
the public schools of Chicago. He learned the trade of machinist in his 
father's works, and became a practical operator in them, lie enlisted in 
Batten "A" in Chicago, April 19, 1861, re-enlisted in same company July 
28, [861, and served continuously and faithfully, as private, until the end 
of his »erm of enlistment, and was mustered out and returned to Chicago in 
July, 1864. A. A . Pitts was a naturally inventive genius, and many of the 
obstacles and difficulties of army life were overcome by means suggested by 
his thoughtful attention. Whenever any difficulty presented itself he would 
at once set his mind at work to solve it. and his suggestions were usually 
heeded and commended by the officers and his comrades of the battery. A 
notable instance of his tact was illustrated at the battle of Shiloh. In the first 
day s fight, toward its close, five of the members of his squad, himself among 
them, were shot, four of them seriously, lie being less severely wounded 
was detailed to take charge of them the first night, and all were placed in a 
\ tent 011 the bare ground, pitched in a corn stubble near the bank of the 
liver, under the shelter of the guns of the gunboats. C. P. Kimbell. who 
had been his messmate from the beginning, was among the most danger- 




WILLIAM LOWE. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 201 

ously wounded. When Pitts succeeded in-getting the hurried attendance 
of a surgeon for a few moments, some five hours after his being shot, the 
surgeon prescribed a poultice of flax meal and pulverized charcoal the full 
length of Kimbell's leg. which was now as black as a stovepipe and swollen as 
full as the skin would hold. In the demoralized condition of everything after 
a hard day's fighting, commissary and medical stores were not easily obtained, 
and where to get the material to carry out the surgeon's directions would 
have discouraged many a less thoughtful man. Not so with A. Y. Pitts. 
He went into the woods a distance until he found the remnants of a burnt 
log heap, and digging into it secured a quantity of very passable charcoal. 
This he put into a gunny sack and. pounding it between two stones, soon had 
quite a quantity of a very good article of charcoal. Flaxseed could not be 
had but he thought wheat bran would be a very good substitute, and, going 
to the river bank, he secured a sack' from the quartermaster's stores, and 
getting a pail mixed it full of coal and bran, well wet, and ripping up a fine 
gunny sack he spread the improvised poultice on it, and before midnight 
had the leg of his suffering comrade wrapped in it and made as comfortable 
as possible under the difficult circumstances. The surgeons afterward said 
that, only for the prompt and thoughtful action taken by Pitts, Kimbell 
would have undoubtedly lost his leg and perhaps his life. Kimbell and 
Pitts enjoyed each other's firm and lasting friendship until the day of his 
death, and Kimbell, with other comrades of the battery, assisted in the sad 
duty of laying his remains in their final resting place in Rose Hill Cemetery. 
He married Miss Mary Bentley, of Chicago, in Rockford, 111., May 25, 1865, 
who. as before stated, survives him. The marriage ceremony was per- 
formed by the Ren - . Robt, Bentley, a brother of Mrs. Pitts. 

WILLIAM: R. PAGE. 

( >ne of the prominent and successful lawyers of Chicago is the subject 
of this brief review. 

He was born at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, ' let. 9, 1843, his father, 
Captain John Page, of the Fourth United States Infantry, being at that 
time in command of the post. In the Mexican war, at the battle of Palo 
Alto, Captain 1'age was mortally wounded. From that time and for many 
years Wra. R. Page was without a permanent home, until, in his later and 
mature life, he came to Chicago. In 1852 he accompanied his mother to 
Rome. Italy, where he remained a year, then entered a preparatory school in 
Florence, which he attended for three years. He then went to Paris and was 
admitted to the "Lvcee Bonaparte," one of the colleges of the Napoleonic 
empire, in which he prosecuted his studies until 1858. Returning to the 
United States he became a student of the Northwestern University at Evans- 
ton. Ilk. where he continued his studies until 1861. On the call for troops 




CHARLES A. LAMB. 



HIS TOR ) ' OF B. \ TTER Y "A." 203 



he immediately abandoned his studies and, with his brother, now General 
John II. Page, of the Third United States Infantry, enlisted in Battery A. 
Chicago Light Artillery, i Ie served as a private in this battery at Cairo, and 
at Paducah, and in the fall of 1861 -was commissioned a Second Lieutenant 
in a detached company of Ohio troops, known then at the Benton Cadets, 
which was to be consolidated with other companies into a regiment. He 
immediately reported to St. Louis, and was ordered to the front at Jefferson 
City, where the main army under General J. C. Fremont had been concen- 
trated. From this point commenced the chase of General Price's army, 
which was unremittently continued as far as Springfield, Mo., when ( ieneral 
Fremont was relieved by (Ieneral Hunter, and the Army of the Missouri 
was ordered back to Rolla. Lieutenant Page on arrival at Rolla was in- 
formed that nearly the entire family was then in service, and that sickness 
and family interests demanded the return of some one of them. Lieutenant 
Page was the one selected, and against his desire and under protest ac- 
ceded to the request. Pie took immediate charge of the business interests 
nf the family, and at once, after examination, was admitted in the class of 
1864 at Harvard P T niversity. He was graduated from that class, and subse- 
quently took his degree of LL. B. at the Law School of Cambridge in 1866. 
Returning to Chicago he began his career as a lawyer, which he has followed 
to the present time. In 1871 he was married to Plorenee X. Talcott, daugh- 
ter of the late Colonel E. B. Talcott. He has two children living. Lieu- 
tenant Page has always been a Republican, and has, without any desire for 
office, taken an active part in political affairs, insisting at all times upon the 
selection of reputable men for office. He was, against his will, elected Su- 
pervisor of the South Town of Chicago, which office he filled with credit to 
the State and City. Since then he has absolutely refused to accept public 
office. Lieutenant Page has always taken an active interest in charitable in- 
stitutions. He has been a director of the Chicago Athenaeum for twenty 
years, director of the Glenwood Industrial Institution, and is one of the 
Trustees of the Illinois Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Normal. He is now 
56 years old, and it is hoped that his busy life may be prolonged for many 
vears of activity and usefulness. 

JO I IX II. PAGE. 

If any member of Battery " \" was a soldier from infancy. General John 
II. Page, of the Third United States Infantry, can rightfully claim that dis- 
tinction. He was born in the army at Xew Castle, Delaware, March 26, 
[842, his father being at that time a captain in the Fourth United States 
Infantry. He moved from post to post with his father, who was mortally 
wounded at the battle of Palo Alto, the first battle in the Mexican war. In 
185 1 he went to Italy and France, where he remained at school until 1857. 




CAPT. FRANCIS MORGAN. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY li A." 205 



Returning to the United States he attended the Northwestern University at 
Evanston. Illinois, where, in 1861, when the civil war broke out, leaving 
his studies, he enlisted in Battery "A." as did also his only brother, YYm. R. 
Page. He served with the battery at Cairo and Paducah, Ky.. where he was 
discharged to accept a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Third Uni- 
ted States Infantry. He joined his regiment at once and remained with it 
until the close of the war, having participated in nearly every battle with the 
Army of the Potomac, from the battle of Bull Run to the close of the war. 
He was brevetted Captain for gallant services at the battle of Chancellors- 
ville, and Major for gallant and meritorious services at the battle t>f Gettys- 
burg. After the civil war he served for many years in the West, and was 
engaged in numerous campaigns against the various tribes of Indians. He 
was promoted to Major in the Eleventh United States Infantry, then to 
Lieutenant Colonel in the Twenty-second Infantry, and to Colonel of the 
Third United States Infantry, which regiment he still commands. Pie com- 
manded the regiment at El Cane} and San Juan, Cuba, and during the siege 
of Santiago commanded the brigade consisting of his own regiment and the 
Twentieth Regular Infantry. For his services in the Cuban campaign he 
was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers, After the 
Cuban war he returned to Font Snelling, Minn., and a part of his regiment 
was immediately sent to quell the outbreak of the Pillager Indians in North- 
ern Minnesota, (ieneral Page will sail about Feb. 1, 1899, for the Philippine 
Islands. He was married to Mrs. Eliza T. Shaw in 1871, and has six chil- 
dren, all of whom will accompany him to his new held of service. 

JEREMIAH 1). P( AYELL. 

The first victim of rebel lead in the battery was brave, handsome "Jerry" 
Powell. He was killed during the early part of the first day's engagement 
at Shiloh. His right arm was taken off at the shoulder by a cannon shot, and 
he survived but a short time. I lis body was taken to Savannah. Tenn., and 
buried by some Missouri infantry. His brother, Moses W. Powell, came 
from Chicago for the purpose of getting the remains and taking them home 
for interment, but they could never be found, and he rests among the un- 
known dead. Jerry was a universal favorite with the whole battery, and his 
death being the first in that line cast a gloom of sadness over the entire 
company, which was only dispelled b\ the bloody and desperate fighting 
later on. He was born in Ebensburgh, Pa., in 1836, and lived on a farm 
near that place during his childhood and youth. Coming to the West he lo- 
cated in Chicago, engaging in the roofing business, which he was following 
at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted as private in Battery "A," April 
uj, 1801, and served three months, re-enlisting Jul)- 16 following, for three 
years. At the time of his death he was sergeant of his squad. 




GEORGE McCAGG. 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 207 



J( )1I.\ MILT( >X PETERS. 

A plant or shrub of Northern growth will not always flourish and thrive 
when transplanted in Southern soil, and the same can be said of the human 
species. But John M. Peters is an exception to this rule, and is a good ex- 
ample of a hardy Northerner settling on Southern soil, and flourishing and 
thriving with the best of the native-born Southerners, lie was born in 
Poughkeepsie, X. Y.. Feb. 5, 1S41. and lived there until the spring of [857, 
when lie left school and went to Chicago. He was educated in the public 
schools of Poughkeepsie and at McGeorg's Academy in that city. After 
coming to Chicago he was engaged as bookkeeper by Clough & King, 
whole-ale hide dealers, and left their employ to enlist as private in the 
hatter ; , April 16, 1861, and re-enlisted for three years July 16, 1861. He 
served with the battery, being in all its engagements until the siege of 
Vicksburg. At Young's Point he was taken with typhoid fewer and was sent 
to Memphis, where he lay in ( )verton Hospital several months. Recovering. 
he was placed on detached service as chief clerk in the Adjutant * ieneral's 
office. Department of the Army of Tennessee, and remained there until mus- 
tered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment with rank of corporal, 
at 1 'hattanooga, Tenn., in July, 1804. He returned to Memphis after visiting 
his family in Chicago, where he has since lived, engaging extensively and 
successfully in manufacturing and steam-boating, as owner, and. was cashier 
of the German Bank six years. He ranks among the most prominent and 
respected citizens of Memphis. He married Miss Eliza J. Andrews, of Tus- 
enmbia. Ala., in November, [865, by whom he has had one son. Joseph A. 
Peters, now living in Chicago. 

GE( >RGE A. PRATT. 

George A. Pratt is a native of the Green Mountain State. He was born 
in Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 25. 1838. He lived there and attended school until 
fourteen years old, then he learned the bookbinder's trade, and for a time 
was clerk in a hotel. Coming to the West he took a position as messenger 
for the American Plxpress Co.. on the G. & N.-W. P. P.. which place he left 
to enlist as private in the battery at Chicago, Aug. 6, 1862. He served with 
the battery till March 10, [863, when he was discharged at St. Louis for disa- 
bility from sickness contracted in the line of duty. He participated with 
the battery in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, was op- 
posite Vicksburg guarding the canal, and saw the "Queen of the West" run 
the blockade. When he enlisted at Chicago he and a number of other re- 
cruits, among them being Wm. Johnson, Al. Pendleton, Harry Roberts, 
Ed Hughes and others, were formed into a squad and sent to join the bat- 
tery at Memphis, going via St. Louis. Plere they found they were likely to 




JAMES W. MILNER. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 209 

be detained for some time, waiting for transportation. They were asked in 
the meantime to assist in guarding the rebel prisoners being held there. Xot 
relishing the idea of serving- as home guards, which was not what they en- 
listed for, they consulted together and decided to do a little "skirmishing" 
on their own account. They found a small steamer about ready to start down 
the river, and made a bargain with the eaptain, paying him Si apiece for 
deck passage, which left only money enough in the squad to buy a barrel of 
bread. Thus equipped the}- started on their way rejoicing. All would have 
gone fairly well if the boat had not run aground on a sandbar, where it stuck 
for three days. Their provisions ran low. but a friendly sergeant on board 
in charge of supplies agreed to lie busy in other quarters while the boys took 
bread from his stock to till their barrel, and, after a five days' trip they 
reached the battery well tired out and hungry. Comrade Pratt and this 
squad have the credit of introducing to the battery ( ie<>. I\ Root's famous 
song. "The Battle-Cry of Freedom," which had just been published. They 
sang it on the boat going down the river to appreciative audiences, and the 
first night of their arrival at Memphis the soldiers came from all sides to 
hear the new song, which was enthusiastically received. Comrade Pratt was 
at one time offered a commission on board a gunboat, but preferred to re- 
main with his friends in the battery, where he would have served his entire 
term if his health had permitted, lie married Mis> Sarah I'. Ball June 22, 
1864. They have an interesting family consisting of a son, daughter and one 
granddaughter. Comrade Pratt is agent for the C. ec X.-W. R. R. at Ft. 
Atkinson, Wis., and is also prominently interested in manufacturing interests 
in that city. 

PERRY POLK POWELL. 

One of the youngest of the many young members of the battery was 
Perry P. Powell. He was born in Chicago, Jan. 11, [845, on a farm on the 
corner of Milwaukee and Armitage avenues, which at that time was on the 
open prairie, and is now a densely populated portion of the city. II is boy- 
hood days were passed in attending school in a little country schoolhouse 
during the winter, one and a halt miles from home, and working on the farm 
with his brothers during the remainder of the year. He enlisted as private 
iu the battery, Aug 6, 1862, when seventeen years and seven months old, 
and served with it until after the siege of Vicksburg, when, on account of 
sickness contracted in the line of duty, he was discharged Aug. 7, [863, at 
Camp Sherman, Miss. He returned home and after regaining his health,, 
enlisted in the Chicago Light Guard (Captain Henry J. Milligan), May 14. 
[864, and was mustered into the < )ne Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry as Company "E." for 100 days. They were in service 
in Kentucky and Missouri during Price's last raid, and were mustered out 




EDWARD MEXDSEN. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 211 



Oct. 25, 1864. In February, 1865, when it was apparent that the war must 
soon be brought to a close, and being determined if possible to "be in at the 
death," he again enlisted on the 21st of that month in Captain R. G. Rom- 
bauer's Company "G," First Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery, to serve one 
year. The battery's service was in Tennessee and the last days of his drilling 
with it at the close of the war was on the same ground where Battery "A" 
was drilling when he joined it in August, 1862. He was mustered out at the 
close of the war. July 24, 1865. lie returned home and successfully en- 
gaged in mercantile business, farming, and real estate, in which latter busi- 
ness he is still engaged. He married Miss Mary E. Mc( rregor, by whom he 
has had three children, one aged nine years, two grown to maturity. He 
owns a small fruit farm at Winfield, Ivan., where he has resided a portion of 
the time since the war; also a stock ranch of 1.040 acres thirty miles from 
Winrield. He has spent several winters with his family at Melbourn, Fla.. 
though his principal headejuarters are on the ground of the old homestead 
where he was born. 

STEFFI EN X. FEASE. 

Stephen N. Pease is a native of Vermont. He was born Nov. 2}, 1837, 
and lived in the State of his nativity till 1846, when he came to Chicago, 
which city has since been his home, lie was engaged in teaming in the 
spring of 1861. He enlisted as private in the battery April 19, and re-en- 
listed at Cairo in July following. He was appointed stable sergeant, and 
served the full term of his enlistment, being with the battery in all its ser- 
vice during that time and was mustered out at Springfield, III, in July, 1864. 
I le returned to Chicago and has worked at the carpenter's trade since. He 
married, but has lost his wife. He has five children and seven grandchildren, 
and lives quietly and comfortably on the West Side of the city, with some of 
his children. 

HENRY HARRIS* >.\ P( >ND. 

( >ne of the busy, hustling business men that help to make up the busy 
city of Chicago is Henry H. Pond, who, since the close of the war in 1865, 
has been engaged continuously in the general commission business on the 
noted thoroughfare of South Water street. His firm is one of the leading 
ones in the business, and success has crowned his industry and close atten- 
tion to business. He was born in Catskill. X. V., July 1 5, 1840. From the age 
of two years until thirteen he lived in Montgomery, Ala., and attended the 
common schools of that city. Owing to the death of his father at that time 
he journeyed north to Whigville, Conn., where he worked until the spring of 
1857, when he left in April and came to Chicago, which city has since been 
his home. He obtained a position as retail grocery clerk in the store of 




LEWIS B. MITCHELL. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 213 

John H. Bowers, which was located on the southeast corner of State and 
Madison streets, where Schlesinger & Mayer's dry goods house now stands. 
lie enlisted in the battery as private in Chicago, July 16, 1861, and served 
the full three years' term of his enlistment, taking an active and creditable 
part in all the battery's service, without an injury, and was mustered out at 
Springfield, 111., in August, 1864. He married Miss Mary Murphy, of Chi- 
cago, May 18, 1865. They have no children. Comrade Pond has always 
been an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and stands high in those 
circles. He is a life member of Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, A., F. & A. M. 

WILLIAM B. PHILLIPS. 

William B. Phillips was born at Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Penn- 
sylvania, June 28, 1829, where he grew to be a young man, attending school 
three months in the year when a boy, assisting with the work about home 
the remainder of the time. When a little over sixteen years old he began to 
learn the carpenter trade, at which he served his time, and when the war began 
was working in a sash and door factory in Galena, 111. He enlisted in that 
city in the beginning of the war, in a three months' infantry company. He 
was transferred to Battery "A," and joined the company as private, together 
with his brother Walter S., on July 16, 1861, and served continuously with 
the batter)- the full term of his enlistment, being mustered out Aug. 16, 1864. 
He celebrated a birthday while in the army thumbing a gun at Kenesaw 
Mountain. He was married and had two children when he enlisted. Seven 
children have been born to him since the war. His wife is dead and he is a 
widower and lives in quiet retirement at Marion, Iowa. He worked at his 
trade for man}- years after the war, and had charge of a bridge-building gang 
on the C. M. & St. P. R. R. for twenty years. 

JAMES OSCAR PADDOCK. 

James Oscar Paddock was born in Wyoming, Wyoming County, New- 
York, Oct. 14, 1841. 

He was the son of Robert Paddock and Josephine Wilder his wife, and 
came of a direct Puritan and fighting ancestry, his forefathers being promi- 
nently identified with every war, colonial and otherwise, that our country was 
engaged in. At the breaking out of the civil war he served with the ninety 
days' men, and re-enlisted in Battery "A." Chicago Light Artillery, July 28, 
1861. 

He left a lucrative position of honorable trust in the office of Mears & 
Bates, lumbermen, because, to use his own words, "My country needs her 
loyal sons." He was mortally wounded at the battle of Shiloh while doing 
his duty, on the 6th of April, 1862, and died April 14. at Paducah, Ky. 




HARRY MORGAN. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY l 'A." 215 

He was a young man of sterling worth and unblemished character, and, 
to quote words of his early friend, Win. M. Hoyt: "If James Paddock had 
lived he would have been one of the foremost men of Chicago. 1 never knew 
a voting man of better business sagacity or greater ambition." 

So. while this great city, in which he would in all probability have played 
his part well, has grown in greatness and power, he, who gave his young life 
to his country, has been sleeping the years of his manhood away in beautiful 
Rose Hill. 

CHARLES WIGHT POOLE. 

( )ne of the "older boys" of the battery is Charles W. Poole. He was 
born in Williamstown, Yt.. Dec. 26, 1831, where he lived till 1848, when his 
familv started for Illinois, coming through New York by the Erie Canal 
Mi Buffalo and around the lakes to Chicago, then by the Illinois and Michigan 
(anal to La Salle, from which place they went by team to Dover in l'.ureau 
County. Here he lived and worked on a farm till 1853, when, in September, 
he came to Chicago, which place has since been his home, working in a 
machine shop at the time of his enlistment as private in the battery, April 
10. 1861. He was appointed sergeant in September. 1861, and quarter- 
master sergeant the following December, in which position he served until 
mustered out, July 23, 1864, by expiration of his term of enlistment. He 
returned to the South and entered the Quartermaster's office, with Major 
T. H. Capron, of the old division, and remained there until August. 1865, 
when he left Little Rock, Ark., for home, and resumed work at his trade. In 
the fall of 1869 he went into the internal revenue service and remained there 
nearly rive years. He was afterwards engaged for nearly fifteen years as 
ganger at the city distilleries For the last eight years he has been in the 
employ of the C, B. & Q. R. R. He was married in 1869 to Mary E. Breese, 
and has had three sons, the oldest dying in 1877. He lives with his family 
in their home at Western Springs, 111. He was elected President of the Bat- 
tery Veteran Association at its annual reunion Sept. to. [898, and has 
served as Vice President for one year in the same organization. 

HARVEY B. RISLEY. 

Lhe ''parson" of the compam was Harvey B. Risley. He says, if the old 
family Bible is correct, he was born Dec. 15, 1835, in a log house in the 
woods, near the Desplaines River, a iew miles south of the city of Joliet, Illi- 
nois. While in his infancy his father moved on a farm west of Joliet. He 
attended the public schools of that city. His first school, and where he re- 
ceived his first punishment, was held in a room in his father's farm-house. 
He does not remember what his misdemeanor was, but his punishment con- 
sisted in being placed tinder his mother's bed in an adjoining room. While 




C. C. NELSON. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 217 



so confined he discovered a box of raisins, with which he proceeded to fill 
himself to pass away the time. When the teacher called him out andaskedhim 
if he had taken any raisins, he remorsefully says he did not imitate George 
Washington. In 1844 his father was elected Sheriff of Will County, on the 
Whig ticket. As farming was so unprofitable, pork selling at $1 per hundred 
and everything else in proportion, the} left the farm and moved into Joliet. 
His strong religious nature was not developed in his younger school days, 
as he received the usual amount of punishment from all his teachers, which 
consisted principally of sitting between the girls and standing on the dunce 
block for not getting his lessons, which latter operation occupied a good 
portion of Ids time. He reformed later and developed into a steady, thor- 
oughgoing youth and student. At the age of fourteen he began dividing 
his time between going to school and clerking in his father's store. In the 
winter of 1850 he went to Chicago in a sleigh, the only means of traveling in 
the winter in those days, and took a position in the Chicago postoffice under 
Richard L. Wilson, P. M. The office was kept in a brick residence on Clark 
street, near the Sherman House, where the "parson" often went up in the 
cupola with a spyglass to see if the steamer was in sight that brought the 
Eastern mail. At that time the entire postoffice force, including the assistant 
postmaster, consisted of eight men, all of whom, excepting Comrade Risley. 
have passed over the dark river. President Taylor died, and Postmaster 
Wilson was soon after removed for political reasons, and the "parson" went 
with him. He then returned to Joliet, traveling by canal, on the packet 
New Orleans, which important event made a lasting impression on his mind. 
and gave him an exalted idea of his ability to get through the world. The 
following winter he returned to Chicago and attended a select school, where 
he was a schoolmate with Edward Russel, of the battery, who was killed at 
Shiloh. During the latter part of his school days he joined the Volunteer 
Fire Brigade, and was attached to "Red Jacket" No. 4, famous in Chicago's 
early history for getting to fires first and throwing the highest stream of 
water. He fluctuated between Chicago and Joliet till 1858, in the meantime 
taking a course at Pell's Commercial College, studying bookkeeping and at- 
tending lectures on commercial law, and working in a bank in Joliet with his 
lather. In 1858 he engaged for a year in the commission business in Chi- 
cago, ami in 1859 went into the grocery business in the same city, in which he 
continued until March, [861. ( )n the 14th of April following he signed the 
muster roll of Patten- "A," and went to the front as a private. He served 
with credit three years and three months, and was mustered out with the 
company at Springfield, in July, 1864. He obtained the appellation of "par, 
son," which clung to him through the service, and will through life with the 
boys, during the three months' service at Camp Smith. An old couple of 
natives, "Uncle Timmy" and "Auntie," lived in a shanty near the cam]). 




ALFRED W. PENDLETON. 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y ll A." 219 



••Auntie" endeared herself to the hoys by making for them dried apple pies 
with sole leather crusts, while old "Uncle Jimmy" occupied his time in hunt- 
ing, fishing and smoking, principally the latter occupation, as forlorn a speci- 
men of humanity as was often seen. "Uncle Jimmy" up and died one warm 
day in June, and old "Auntie" was disconsolate and perfectly at a loss to 
know what to do, so she naturally came to her friends in the hatter}', and we 
decided to do the honors to the dead citizen. Risley was chosen as "parson." 
singers were selected, and Will Vernon, the only sincere and sober one in 
the whole lot, was selected to offer prayers, and all acted their part to perfec- 
tion, especially the "parson" in his brief remarks of consolation to the weep- 
ing widow, and his excellent choice in selecting the Scripture lesson. When 
the hearse came up from Cairo with the pine coffin, the driver, acting under 
instructions from his boss, would not unload it until the bill was paid, which 
amounted to $12.50. Twelve dollars was all that old "Auntie" could scrape 
together in five and ten cent pieces, her savings from the boys' pie money. 
She was discouraged for a moment, but thinking of the two quarters which 
Hod Foote had recklessly placed upon the eyes of the deceased, to prevent 
him from seeing where he was going, as he explained his act of apparent 
extravagance, she went in to get them. and found the eagles had mysteriously 
flown. The boys then jerked the coffin out of the hearse and sent the driver 
back to the city with only $12, which was about double what the box could 
possibly have cost. The boys, with crepe around their arms, a big Bible in 
an old carpet bag, the army wagon for a hearse, with the mules' tails done 
up in crepe, wended along the wooded road to the silent city of the dead. 
"The Star Spangled Banner" was sung, and the coffin was tenderly lowered 
into its final resting place during the sobbing of the heart-broken old 
"Auntie" and the assumed solemnity of her sympathetic friends. Old 
"Auntie" continued to dispense her dyspepsia-producing pies to the boys 
while we remained at Camp Smith, and when we broke up the camp and left 
she was utterly disconsolate. In the fall of 1864 Comrade Risley married 
Miss Man- Easton. Five children were born unto them, four sons and one 
daughter. The daughter, aged 19, and Ffarrie, aged 21, were taken from 
them. Three sons are now living. Charles R.. Edward E., and Harvey B. Jr.. 
the two former being married, Charles having two children. In the -pring 
of 1865 he was employed in the Board of Public Works of Chicago, and from 
1867 till 1871 was in the Chicago postoffice. In 1876 he removed to Joliet, 
where he was engaged in various occupations until the spring of 1889, when 
he crossed the plains westward, and spent the summer on a ranch in [Mon- 
tana. In the fall he crossed the Rockies and Cascade Mountains and landed 
in what he considers the most picturesque city in this country, Seattle. 
Washington, where he has resided since. He spent the winter of 1894 at 
Port Washington with his invalid wife. In March of that year she passed 




TAMES PHILLIPS. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A" 221 



away and left the partner she had loved and honored from girlhood, alone 
with his motherless children. She was a faithful wife and fond mother, was 
an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps, Bartleson Post, No. 140, 
Joliet. Her memory still brings thoughts of sacred sadness to her family 
and friends. 

Comrade Risley is in the drug business in Seattle, and says he is the 
only "private" on the Sound, as Comrade J. W. Rumsey, who lives in the 
same city, is the only Lieutenant, all other resident soldiers having received 
higher promotions since the war. He is and always will be the same good- 
natured, genial old "Parson" Risley to all his comrades of old Battery "A." 

WILLIAM O. RICE. 

Among the oldest members of the battery was William O. Rice. He 
was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. July 15, 1825. where the early 
years of his life were spent. As soon as he was old enough to learn a trade 
his father, who was a mason, took him with him, and he acquired that trade, 
which has since been his occupation. He enlisted in the battery in Chicago, 
Oct. [6, 1861, and served as postillion and gunner until the 31st of March. 
1862, when he was mustered out at Pittsburg Landing, by reason of .Us- 
ability incurred in the line of duty, being a severe injury in the knee Re- 
covering sufficiently from his injury on Jan. 5, 1865, he enlisted in the 
Twelfth Wisconsin Light Artillery, in which he served until the close of the 
war, being mustered out at Madison, Wis., June 17, 1865. In late years he 
has been in feeble health and during the winter and spring of [899 has been 
confined to his bed. While so confined his aged wife, who had been his 
partner in his joys and sorrows so many years, passed away. That he may 
be restored to health and strength is the earnest wish of all his old comrades. 
He has five children and sixteen grandchildren to cheer and comfort him in 
liis old age. 

HARRISON ROBERTS. 

The State of "wooden nutmegs" furnished few, if any. better native 
sons for the ranks of the Union army than Harrison Roberts. I le was born 
in New Haven County, Conn., in 1840. where he lived until four years of 
age, when his family moved to New York State, settling, in 1848. at Seneca 
Falls, where his school education was acquired. At the age of fifteen he 
went to work to learn the trade of machinist. He went West in 1858 and 
located in Chicago, securing a position in the paid fire department as stoker 
on the old steamer "Enterprise," No. 2, on which his father, the late Georgi 
Roberts, was engineer. At that time two steamers, the "Long John" and 
the "Enterprise," constituted the entire paid fire department of Chicago. D. 
J. Swcnie, the present chief, was then chief engineer. "Harry" enlisted in 







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AURELIUS V. PITTS. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 223 



the battery as private in September, 1862, and served with that rank until 
the consolidation of "A" and "B," in July, 1864, when he was elected First 
Lieutenant, vice George McCagg, whose term expired. Before his promo- 
tion he acted as gunner in the various skirmishes and engagements at and 
around Atlanta, and had previously participated in all its engagements, and 
acquitted himself so creditably that he was selected for promotion without 
Opposition. After the evacuation of Atlanta the battery was mostly .doing 
camp, garrison and reserve duty at Nashville and Chattanooga. He was 
mustered out with the battery in Chicago at the close of the war in 1865. 
Since the war he has worked at his trade at Seneca Falls, X. Y., where he 
still resides. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Frances 
Babcock, of that city. They have no children. 

ROSCOE EUGENE REXFORD AND EVERETT HEBER REX- 
FORD. 

Roscoe Eugene and Everett Heber Rexford were the only sons of 
1 leber S. Rexford. The}- were born in West Carlisle, Ohio, in the years 1839 
and 1841, Roscoe being the senior by two years, less one month. Their 
family moved to Bine Island, 111., in the spring of 1845. They remained 
in the village until 1852, when their father purchased a farm about a mile 
distant, where they were living when war was declared. In April, 1861, 
they joined the "Yates Phalanx," the company being commanded by Cap- 
tain Everst. 

After drilling in the old wigwam of Chicago for two or three weeks with- 
out any prospect of being accepted by "L nele Sam." they yielded to their 
father's entreaties and returned home, having his promise that as soon as 
the}- were needed the}' might re-enlist. 

When the boys of Company "A," Chicago Light Artillery, had served 
three months, they re-enlisted and were granted furloughs. Meeting one of 
them, an old friend. Wilbur Wilcox, he informed them that there was now 
an opportunity to join the battery. Knowing several of its members, among 
them Harry Morgan, who afterwards became Everett's brother-in-law, the 
brothers were delighted to return with the boys to Cam]) Smith, Cairo, and 
were sworn into service in July, 1861. 

After the battle of Donelson Roscoe was taken sick; at Pittsburg Land- 
ing he was placed on board the City of Memphis, a hospital boat, and re- 
moved to Cairo, where his father met him. They journeyed northward and 
arrived at Kensington, near Chicago, when Roscoe became too ill to travel 
further, and he died in a few days, at the home of a cousin. Roscoe is buried 
in Alt. Greenwood, Ilk, and on his tombstone are the words of a song he 
used so sweetly to sing in cam]). "Lorena" was his favorite ballad, which 




JEREMIAH D. POWELL. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 225 



so many times charmed the visitors who came to us while the battery was 
encamped at Paducah. 

While the battery was stationed at Paducah Everett was made bugler, 
and from this time on he became an object of censure of the boys who dis- 
liked early rising, early retirement and other military duties which inter- 
fered with their own personal comfort and happiness. The stealing- of his 
mouthpiece caused the battery boys to be drawn up in line. Major 'Willard, 
thinking to cause the guilt) party to return this necessary article, claimed 
he knew the offending party, and stated that if the mouthpiece was not re- 
turned before a given time, that dire punishment would be inflicted. But 
the bluff did not work, for "Eb" Howard knew that no living soul had seen 
him deposit it in the bottom of the ( )hio River. 

The morning performances when in camp were always a great source 
of amusement to Everett, and it well repaid him for his shortened allowance 
of sleep. Although five minutes intervened between reveille and assembly 
call, no movement in tent or sound was noticeable, but when assembly 
warned the inmates that only three minutes remained for toilet and to fall 
in line, the tents would sway back and forth as if struck by a hurricane, 
while shouts and calls issued, such as. "Rex. your watch is fast." "Rex, what 

in the d are you sounding roll-call at this time of day for?" "Blame 

that old bugle," etc., and, crawling out from various parts of the tents would 
be seen men, some in one boot dragging the other, some in one pant leg, the 
Other dangling, some with jacket in hand, hopping, tumbling, scrambling, 
falling into line, any way to get there in time to answer to their names, tlie 
bugler always receiving the grimaces and threatening looks of the belated 
ones. 

After three years of continuous service he left his faithful horse. "Japhet," 
with Comrade Tom Wilcox, the two being captured afterwards, the day 
McPherson was killed. With the other volunteers of 1861 he was mustered 
out in Springfield. Ilk, in July, [864. 

Returning to the old farm he readily resumed old duties, and continued 
farming for several years. In 1X72 he married Miss Sarah E. Robinson, a 
teacher in Chicago. They have one child, a daughter, Laura Ballard, who is 
now an accomplished professional violinist. In 1891 he joined his family 
in Europe, where his daughter was perfecting her musical studies. ( )n his 
return from Europe he began dealing in real estate, and is now manufac- 
turing the Rex Fuel Saver. He has been a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation for the Blue Island Public Schools. In 1893 he served as Mayor of 
the town, now, in [899, is a member of the Board of Trustees. His bugle 
still sounds assembly, and he had the honor of being made National Bugler 
of the G. A. R. in [898, under his old comrade. Thad. S. Clarkson, Com- 
mander-in-chief, and also of the Union Veteran Legion. He likewise "toots 



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4? 


•, 



GEORGE A. PRATT. 



HISTOR V OF BA TTER V "A." 227 



bis horn" whenever the battery gives the command, and no gathering of his 
old comrades is considered complete without "old Rex," as he is affection- 
atelv called. His home is in the village of Blue Island. It is large, roomy 
and pleasant, and the latchstring is always out for the boys of Battery "A." 

JOHN W. RUMSEY. 

"The only Lieutenant on the Sound," is what "Parson" Risley says of 
John W. Rumsey, who, with Risley, resides in the far-off beautiful city of 
Seattle, Wash. He was born on a farm near Batavia, N. Y.. March 6, 1838, 
where he lived till 1855, when he went to Chicago. His youth was unevent- 
ful, working on the farm and attending the district school three to four 
months in the winter. On his arrival in Chicago he began working as clerk 
for the commission firm of Rumsey Bros. & Co., and was still engaged with 
them when the war broke out. The next morning, after a Charleston, S. C, 
newspaper said, "Although Lincoln is elected I 'resident, he shall never reach 
Washington, D. C. alive," P. P. Wood came into the Rumsey office and 
said, "Jack, you read the morning paper; if we are ordered out will you go 
with us?" John replied, 'Yes." "Then come to the armory to-night," said 
Wood. He was there. This was the last of January or early in February, 
1861, but his enlistment proper in the battery dates April 19, 1861. He 
served three years and three months with the battery as private, sergeant, 
Junior and Senior Second and Junior and Senior First Lieutenant, being 
mustered out with the latter rank. In December, 1861, he was offered and 
declined a Captaincy in the Commissary Department. Again, while in 
Memphis, in 1862, he was offered a commission as Captain of a battery, but 
refused, being determined to remain with his first choice. Late in 1862, 
much to his disgust, he was detailed as ordnance officer of the division, and 
returned to the battery at the earliest possible opportunity. In a fight near 
Resaca, Ga., he was seriously wounded in the shoulder, and was incapaci- 
tated for further active service in the battery. He was mustered out at Chi- 
cago in March, 1864, but his discharge was dated the same as the muster 
out of the company, as he was not able to travel to Springfield at that time. 
From the close of the war until November, 1888, he was engaged in the 
commission business on the Chicago Board of Trade. He then went West 
and settled in Seattle, Wash., engaging in the real estate business, which he 
is still following. He married happily to Miss Charlotte M. Day, in Stafford, 
N. Y., Nov. 7, 1866, and eight children, three boys and five girls, have been 
born to them. None of the children are married. They are blessed with 
good health, but the family circle was broken June 4, 1898, by the death 
of the daughter Margaret, aged 22 years. Comrade Rumsey was elected the 
first President of the Battery Veteran Association, which was organized in 
1885. 





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1 


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■ \ 





STEPHEN N. PEASE. 



Hi STORY OF BATTERY "A." 1 229 



JEREMIAH NICHOLAS SHERMAN 

Jeremiah X. Sherman was born in the State of New York in [839. His 
father moved to the West when "Jerry" was a child and settled in Cook 
County on a farm through which the Des Plaines River runs. He and C. B. 
Kimbell were schoolmates one year when boys. His father and stepmother 
both died in [848. He was enrolled as a farmer on his enlistment as private 
in the battery in Chicago, July [6, 1861. He served with credit in the bat- 
tery till honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment, 
having- participated in eleven battles and four skirmishes. His position was 
No. 1 in squad two. He was severely injured by an accident while on drill 
at Paducah, Ky., and received three slight wounds at the Battle of Shiloh. 
After his return from the war he was in poor health, and until 1808 was al- 
most continuously under the care of a physician, his health being impaired 
by his army service. Partly recovering his health, he took up his trade of 
carpenter, but of late years he has been wholly incapacitated for manual 
labor, and was admitted to the Illinois Soldier's Home at Quincy, August 
12. 1891, where he is still quartered. He is a bachelor. 

JOHX STEELE. 

Among the younger members of the battery was John Steele. He was 
born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1844, where he lived until 1852, when, with his 
family, he moved to Milwaukee, lie attended the public schools of that 
city until 1858. In 1859 he came to Chicago and learned the trade of cigar- 
making, at which he was employed when he enlisted in Battery "A." in Chi- 
cago, April 19, 1861. He re-enlisted July to, 1861, and served with the bat- 
tery, taking a creditable part in all its engagements until the battle of Mis- 
sion Ridge, where he was severely wounded and incapacitated for further 
active service. He was sent home on wounded furlough, but was not dis- 
charged until the mustering out of the three years' men in July, 1864. He 
went to work at the cigarmaking trade, which he followed until 1875. He 
then learned the trade of painter, in which he is now engaged. In 1865 he 
married Miss Kate F. Dick. Their family consists of two daughters and 
one son, all grown up. He has never entirely recovered from the effects of 
his wound. 

ADAM STEWART. 

Sturdy, genial Adam Stewart was born in Glasgow, Scotland, coming 
to America when about seventeen years old. He was engaged in clerking 
at the breaking out of the war. but, being full of love for the country of his 
adoption, he enlisted in the battery in Chicago, July 16, 1861, as private, 
serving his full term of enlistment, being mustered out with the company 




HENRY H. POND. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 



July 23, 1864. He had a miraculous escape from death at the siege of Jack- 
son, Miss. His army blouse was torn to pieces by an exploding shell, and 
his memorandum book and letters in the pockets blown into shreds, hardly 
a word on a piece of the paper being found. His eyes and ears were filled 
with cotton and sand, and he was unconscious for several minutes. After 
the war lie followed orange growing for several years in Florida, but a ter- 
rible frost a few years ago destroyed that industry for a time, and he aban- 
doned it. He is now in the National Soldier's Home, Virginia. 

MAC. SLOSSER. 

Members of the battery will recognize in the name of Mac. Slosser our 
old comrade enlisted as A. V. Slusser. For good and sufficient reasons he 
had his name changed as above after the war, and he is now so known legally. 
He was born in Portage, X. Y., Oct. 12, 1834, and lived there and at Castile, 
N. Y., while a child and youth. He came to Chicago when about nineteen 
years of age, and was appointed a clerk in the postoffice there, remaining 
from 1854 to 1856. He was then is Texas and New Orleans for nearly a 
year. He returned to Chicago in i860 and voted for Abraham Lincoln for 
President. He was not engaged in any business in 1861 and enlisted in the 
battery as private at Chicago in July of that year. He served five months 
as postillion and the remainder of his term of enlistment as cannonier, until 
mustered out July 16, 1864. He again went to work in the Chicago post- 
office, where he still remains, being one of the oldest employes. He is af- 
flicted with deafness caused by his army service. He has never married. 

GEORGE M. SCOTT. 

G. M. Scott is a native of Canada, where he was born Jan. 11, 1842. He 
came to Chicago in 1849, hefore the day of railroads in that city, coming by 
steamboat around the lakes. He attended the old Dearborn school on 
Madison street, between State and Dearborn streets. At the breaking out 
of the war he was working as a clerk". He enlisted in the battery in Chicago, 
June 16, 1862, and started out on his own account to join the battery, which 
was on the march across the country from Corinth to Memphis, and was 
not easily found. He plodded along and, after numerous adventures, over- 
took it at Memphis. He served with the battery until the three years' men 
were mustered out, when he was detailed at General John A. Logan's head- 
quarters. Fifteenth Army Corps. He accompanied the corps in the march 
from Atlanta to the sea and then to Washington. He was mustered out 
May 25, 1865, his term of enlistment having expired and the war virtually 
closed. He has been successfully engaged in the bellows manufacturing 
business for many years, lives at Riverside, and has never married. 




CHARLES W. POOLE. 



If J STORY OF BATTERY "^." 233 



CHARLES E. SMITH. 

The Northwestern University of Evanston, 111., furnished from the ranks 
of its students a great many soldiers for the Federal army, and five or six 
of these were members of Hatter} "A" during the early part of the war. 

The youngest of these was Charles E. Smith, who was scarcely eighteen 
years old when he enlisted. lie was born at Wilbraham, Mass., June 26, 
[843, and lived there an orphan, with his guardian, until he was fourteen 
years old, when he came to Chicago. Leaving the University in i860, he 
taught school that winter, being then only just past seventeen. In the early 
spring of i86t he entered into arrangements with a friend to cut the grass oft" 
700 acres of land on Blue Island avenue to make hay for the Chicago market. 
When the war spirit seized the country, realizing that his partner, Mr. Ayres, 
being married, could not go as well as he, he immediately dropped his plans 
and all prospective profit, and started and enlisted as a private in Battery 
"A." After being in Cairo lor some time he was. with the company, mus- 
tered into the United States service, July 28, 1861, and was with the battery 
the entire term of his service, excepting only at the battle of Shiloh. Shortly 
after the battle of Fort Donelson he was sent home on a sick furlough, but 
immediately after the battle of Shiloh he returned to the battery and from 
that day until the battery was dismissed from service he lost no more time. 
He was appointed corporal just before the advance on Vicksburg, and be- 
fore General Grant made his grand detour, getting in the rear of Vicksburg. 

Governor LeRue Harrison, of Arkansas, offered him a commission as 
First Lieutenant in the First Arkansas Battery, but General Grant refused 
to muster anyone out until after the charge on Vicksburg. When Vicksburg 
was captured the commission was offered him again, but he declined it, pre- 
ferring to remain with the batter)- until his time of service should expire. 
When mustered out in 1864 he entered the Chicago postoffice under the 
postmastership of Mr. Scripps, and with others assisted Mr. Armstrong to 
inaugurate the railway mail service of the present day. After one year's 
service there, he entered the employ of Keith Bros., of Chicago, remaining 
with them until 1867, when he engaged in business for himself, and has so 
continued since. 

He was engaged for ten years in the lumber business both in Chicago 
and Bay City, Mich. In 1880 he removed to Cincinnati, where he purchased 
the branch house of Wilson Bros., and has been since then engaged in the 
men's furnishing goods business, and at the same store. His present ad- 
dress is 49 West Fourth street. 

Mr. Smith was married in March. 1868, and has since his marriage be- 
come the father of six children. Two sons are now in business with him. 
Only one of his children is married, but this son has a son, so that Air. Smith 
is a happy grandfather. 




HARVEY B. RISLEY. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "/I" 235 

JAMES H. SHRIGLEY. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Chicago, where he was born 
Jan. 1 6, 1838. He lived in and near Chicago during his childhood and 
youth, and until eleven years old, when not "running away," spent his time 
in acquiring knowledge at the public schools of the city. He took a course 
at Bell's and Dyhrenfurth's commercial colleges, from both of which he 
graduated, after which he worked at bookkeeping and clerking in Chicago 
and vicinity until 1856. when he moved to Michigan and engaged in the 
lumber business. He left his business in Manistee and came to Chicago in 
August, 1862, and enlisted on the 15th of that month, as private in the bat- 
terv, with which he served until June 24th, 1864, when he was detailed as 
headquarters clerk in the Adjutant General's office, Second Division, Fif- 
teenth Army Corps, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. 
being mustered out near Washington, D. C, May 25, 1865. He returned 
to Michigan and resumed the lumber business, which he has since followed 
extensively and successfully. He married Miss H. C. Golden and has one 
married daughter. He lives at Traverse City. 

SILAS COOK STIGER. 

New Jersey, though one of the smallest States in the Union, furnished 
her quota of native sons for Battery "A" membership. Principal in the 
number is Silas C. Stiger. He was born in Hackettstown, in that State, 
April 16, 1831, where he lived, attending the schools there, as a youth, and 
acting as clerk at the close of his school days in Hackettstown and at 
Mendham. He purchased a farm in Virginia, on which he remained several 
years, and from there went to Chicago and was working with Wm. Little & 
Co., wholesale grocers, as shipping clerk, when the war broke out. He en- 
listed as private in the battery, July 16, 1861, and served with it till July 26, 
1864. He was wounded in the right at Dallas, Ga., May 28, 1864, being shot 
in the left hip by a sharpshooter, and when discharged was in the hospital at 
Nashville, Tenn. Returning to Chicago he engaged in the commission 
business as Little & Stiger. Thinking to better his condition he closed out 
his business in Chicago, and, turning to the "wild and woolly" West, he es- 
tablished a general merchandise business at Lincoln Gulch, Montana, which 
he continued for a while, then, closing out, returned to his native State and 
went into the coal business at Morristown, He retired from active business 
fifteen years ago. He married Miss Anna E. Walduck, and they have had 
four children. Mrs. Stiger died in 1896, and the published notice of her 
death was the means of the Veteran Association locating Comrade Stiger, 
whose whereabouts had been lost trace of for several years. Of the four 
children one daughter only survives, and with her father lives at 1207 Grand 
avenue, Asbury Park. N. J. 




HARRISON ROBERTS. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "/?." 237 



WILLIAM L. SOUTHWORTH. 

One of the most popular and well-known of the three months' men was 
W. L. Southworth. He served in the battery from April ig, 1861 to July 16, 
[861, but his interest in it never ceased, lie returned to Chicago at the ex- 
piration of his term of enlistment and was one of the most active workers 
in the Battery Association in looking after the welfare and comfort of the 
batter_\- boys, especially the sick and wounded, who were sent home to re- 
cover. He was born in Xew York City, Dec. y, 1837, where his childhood 
and youth were spent, and his early school education obtained. At the 
breaking out of the war he was employed as a clerk in Chicago. He was 
gunner of the gun squad that assisted in the capture of the steamer "Hill- 
man" in the beginning of the war. of which an account is given in the history 
of the battery's three months' service. He was in the wholesale commission 
lumber business from 1866 to 1884, in Chicago, and was the hrst Secretary 
of the "Chicago Lumbermen's Exchange," acting as Mich until the business 
required the more necessary attention of a salaried officer. 

He has been a valuable and trustworthy employe in the County Treas- 
urer's and County Clerk's offices in Chicago for many years, and is at present 
engaged in the County Clerk's office. 

JOHN SCHAFFER. 

The veteran among all the veterans of the battery is brave, earnest and 
loyal old German John Schaffer. He came to this country from his native 
land in 1848, having previously served three years and nine months in the 
German army under King William IV. He was born in Alfern. Germany, 
July 22, 1825. He enlisted in the battery April 19, 1861, for three months, 
and at the end of that term re-enlisted July 16 for three years. He served 
tlie full term of his enlistment, taking part in all the engagements of the bat- 
tery. He was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh, but remained with 
the company and recovered without entering a hospital. When John joined 
the battery he understood but very little of the English language, owing to 
the short time he had been in this country, but he set about the task of 
learning it with eagerness, and under the teaching of such proficient in- 
structors as Johnny Peters and Johnny Irwin, he soon acquired a very fair 
knowledge of it, although John declares to this day that he was wrongfully 
and maliciously instructed in regard to the meaning and use of many words 
and phrases which had no place in genteel society. But his "nit by dam site 
was not to be misunderstood when expressing his disapproval of any propo- 
sition not in accordance with his ideas of right and wrong. After being 
mustered out of the service he returned to Chicago and immediately joined 
the militia battery in the city, and for over thirty years was a regular and 




EVERETT H. REXFORD. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 239 



active member. He was always ready to answer every call with the battery 
in turning out to suppress riots or disorder, and he is read}- and willing- at 
any time the American flag is threatened, or in danger, to come to the 
rescue as promptly as he did in 1861. He was married in 1848 and has had 
seven children, three surviving, and nine grandchildren. He is now a wid- 
ower, his wife having died Nov. 2, 1897. He has a son, grandson and great- 
grandson named after him, so his name is not likely to soon become ex- 
tinct. 

WILLIAM EICHBAUM STOCKTON. 

Among the business men of Chicago who, by their enterprise, honesty 
and integrity, add in no small degree to the general prosperity and good 
business reputation of the city, is Comrade YV. E. Stockton. He is the 
trusted manager of the Falcon Iron and Nail Co., at 16 to 20 West Lake 
street. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 18, 1840. He lived there till the 
breaking out of the war, and at that time was receiving clerk for Clarke & 
Co., Duquesne depot, Pennsylvania Railroad. He enlisted in Company 
"I," Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry, April 25, 1861, and was discharged 
Aug. 6, 1861. He re-enlisted in Battery "A." -Vug. 31, 1861, and served 
with great credit in that company. He was discharged therefrom Feb. 15, 
1863, on surgeon's certificate of disability. Recovering his health he re- 
enlisted Feb. 25, 1864, in Company "A," Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
and was discharged Jan. 16, 1865, from a gunshot wound received in action. 
His rank was sergeant major of his regiment. Few veterans can show a 
more persistent, patriotic record than can Comrade Stockton. He was 
married to Eliza L. Cook, of Shields, Pa., and has two grown children living 
at their home in Evanston, Martha C. and John W. Stockton. 

EDGAR PRAY TOBEY. 

Edgar Pray Tobey was born in the city of New York, January 20, 1840. 
He came to Chicago when six years old, and remained there until his death. 
He received his schooling in the public schools, and at Warrenville, Til.; two 
years were spent at the business college of Bryant & Stratum. When a 
young man he was a prominent and active member of the Hope Hose Yol- 
unteer Fire Company of Chicago. On October 15, 1859, he became a mem- 
ber of the Chicago Light Artillery Association, Captain James Smith com- 
manding, retaining his membership therein until the troops left for the front. 
April 19, 1861, he was appointed quartermaster sergeant, and left with the 
battery for Cairo, 111., for ninety days. The following July 16th he was mus- 
tered into the United States service for three years as Junior Second Lieu- 
tenant. July 3, 1862, he was mustered out with above rank, at Paducah, 




LIEUT. JOHN W. RUMSEY. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 241 

Ky., on account of sickness. Returning- home on Jul}- 20, 1863, he was 
elected Senior First Lieutenant of the Dearborn Light Artillery, a local 
militia organization, under the command of Captain James Smith. While 
not able for active service in the field, he did not lose his interest in the old 
battery, and was an active worker in the home association in looking after 
the interests of the company, and made frequent trips to the front, visiting 
them and bearing the good things contributed for their comfort by friends 
at home. He took an active interest in militia military matters, and gave 
freely of his time and money in their support. He was in command of the 
batter}- and rendered very efficient service during the railroad riots in 1877, 
and, although it was not necessary to fire a single shot, the very presence 
of the battery had a quieting effect on the riotous mob. March 31, 1879, he 
was elected Captain of Battery "D." Illinois National Guard, and July 17 of 
the same year he was elected Major of the same command, and he continued 
in command of the battery until his death, which occurred June 28. 1895, 
from spinal troubles. 

After leaving the United States service he was for many years with the 
firm of Tobey & Booth Packing and Provision Co. 

He was married February 15, 1864, to Arozina L. Hurlbut, who died on 
Easter Sunday, April 25, 1886. From the time of his wife's death his health 
began to fail, gradually growing weaker and weaker until his death. The 
funeral services at his home were conducted by Bishop Charles Edward 
Cheney. The members of Battery "D" acted as escort, and the body was 
laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery, by members of Home Lodge, A., F. & A. 
M. At the time of his death he was one of the most active and valuable nieni- 
mers of the Battery ".V" Veteran Association, his batter}- armory always 
being open for their meetings. 1 le was also a member of the Society of the 
Army of the Tennessee, Abraham Lincoln Post, G. A. R.. Fireman's I'.enevo- 
lent Association, Home Lodge. A.. F. & A. M., Chevalier Bayard Com- 
mandery, ( )riental Consistory, and the Mystic Shrine. 
Three daughters, living in Chicago, survive him. 

SAMUEL HOBART TALLMADGE. 

Chicago had numerous native-born sons in Battery "A." and among 
them was S. H. Tallmadge. He was born June 8, 1840, and lived in the 
city of his birth till the breaking out of the civil war. At that time he was 
salesman in the prominent wholesale dry goods house of Bowen Bros. He 
enlisted as private April 16, 1861. and served three months with the battery. 
He re-enlisted in July. 1862, in the Chicago Mercantile Battery and served 
with that command till the close of the war. ranking as private, gun ser- 
geant and quartermaster sergeant. He was mustered out July to, 1865. 
After the war he located in Milwaukee, where he now resides. He is man- 




WILLIAM H. RENFRO. 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 243 



ager of the Milwaukee Pulmonary Sanitarium. He married Miss Jessie M. 
Johnston, of Milwaukee, in [868, and they have six children. He has taken 
an active interest in Grand Army affairs. 

He joined E. B. Wolcott Post, No. i, G. A. R., Milwaukee, in November, 
1885, and served as follows: Sergeant major, two years; Adjutant of Post 
Xo. i, seven years; Commander, one year; Assistant Adjutant General's De- 
partment of Wisconsin, two years; in all. twelve consecutive years. Was 
aid on staff of Commander-in-chief T. S. Clarkson in 1897-8. 

WILLIAM BLANDING VERNON. 

A noble, true and earnest Christian soldier was personified in William 
B. Vernon, who died at his home in Chicago. Jan. 22, 1864, of disease con- 
tracted in the service with the battery. He was born in Milbrook, Kendall 
County, Illinois, Sept. 20, 1839. When the war broke out he was livino- in 
Chicago, and clerking in O. Kendall's bakery, corner of Washington and 
Dearborn streets. He enlisted in the battery April 19, 1861, and served with 
it till his death. He was always a q.uiet, unassuming gentleman, ever ready 
and willing to execute his duty, and his death removed one of the most es- 
timable members from our ranks. His remains were buried with military 
honors from his home, 125 South Green street. Chicago, in beautiful Rose 
Hill Cemetery. His brother, John M. Vernon, was one of the most promi- 
nent and popular members of Battery *T>." and lives in Chicago, where he is 
a successful business man, and takes an active interest in ( \. A. R. matters. 

FREDERICK OSCAR WHITSON. 

The city of Boston, Mass., was the birthplace of Frederick O. Whitson. 
He first saw the light of day there July 24, 1841, and that city was his home 
until March, 1848. when he came to Illinois with his parents, who settled in 
Waukegan. He lived in that city, attending her public schools, until 1854, 
when he, with his parents, again moved to Woodstock, which city was his 
home until his death, which occurred Aug. 21, 1878. When the war broke 
out he was clerking in the Exchange Hotel of that city. He enlisted in the 
battery as private, Feb. 3, 1862, and served three years with it, taking part 
in all its marches, campaigns and engagements, with the exception of the 
battle and siege of Jackson, Miss., in July, 1863. at which time he was con- 
fined in the hospital with a severe case of the bloody flux, which he con- 
tracted during the siege of Yicksburg. and for which he was later on fur- 
loughed and sent home to recover. He was mustered out at the end of his 
term of enlistment, with the rank of corporal, to which he was appointed 
when the batteries were consolidated, in July, 1864. He returned to his 
home in Woodstock, and for a short time resumed work in the same hotel 
he left when he enlisted. He then en^aq-ed in the hardware business as 




jerej\;iai-i n. sherman. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 245 

clerk, and later formed a partnership in the same business, with his father 
and brother, all being' practical in that line of business, and they soon be- 
came the leading firm in McHenry Comity, doing an extensive and pros- 
perous business. In the winter of 1877 Oscar, who belonged to the Volun- 
teer Fire Department of Woodstock, while engaged in helping to extinguish 
a fire in the large building of the well-known seminary for boys conducted 
by the Rev. R. K. Todd, became thoroughly drenched with water, which 
froze to his clothing. He took a severe cold, which brought on asthma, and 
finally resulted in consumption, which resulted in his death. He was never 
married. He was honored and respected by all who knew him. His fu- 
neral was largely attended, and during the services every place of business 
in the city was closed in respect to his memory. 

CHARLES M. WILLARD. 

Charles M. Willard was born in Livingston Count), New York', in 1825, 
and, when old enough, studied law, and was a practicing lawyer when he 
moved to Richmond, .McHenry County, Illinois, in [853. He remained in 
Richmond about two years, then removed to Woodstock. Ilk, the county 
seat of McHenry County, and soon became one of the leading lawyer- oi 
Northern Illinois. In 1858 he went to Chicago, practicing law there till the 
breaking out of the war. He left Chicago with the battery as Senior First 
Lieutenant, was elected Captain to succeed Captain Smith, and resigned 
Jan. 16, 1863, to accept a commission as Major of the First Illinois Artillery. 
He was appointed Provost Marshal of Memphis and acted in that capacity 
till the movement for the advance on Vicksburg, when poor health com- 
pelled him to resign. After his army service he returned to Chicago and 
again resumed the practice of law. He never fully recovered his health, and 
died in that city in 1870. and was buried there. He was married when he 
came West, and left a widow surviving him. 

EDWARD ERASTUS WILLIAMS. 

Edward E. Williams was born in Homer. X. V.. Dec. 18, 1840. The 
earlv years of his life were spent in New York City. Newark, X. J., and a 
short time in West Point. X. V. He received his school education in the 
Xew York City public schools, and in Hudson Academy, X. Y. At the age 
of seventeen he went to California, returning East, and, locating in Chicago 
just before the breaking out of the war. engaging in the news business. He 
enlisted as private in the battery in Chicago, July 21, 1861, and remained 
with it, in all its service, until July 23, 1864, when he was mustered out. He 
was severelv wounded at Shiloh, and had an arm broken afterward, hie took 
a leading part in the famous theatrical combination organized in the battery 




JOHN STEELE. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 247 



at Larkinsville, in the winter of T864. A portrait taken in costume will be 
found in the chapter of this history relating to Larkinsville. After the war he 
went to Xew York City, where he engaged in the wall paper business, first as 
salesman and later as partner in the firm of H. Bartholomae & Co.. wall 
paper manufacturers. His health has not been of the best of late, though he 
hopes for speed}- improvement. He is married and resides at 181 West 87th 
street. New York City. He is a member of Post 607, G. A. R., New York 
City. 

PETER PRESTON WOOD. 

A brave, gallant, tried and true comrade, commander and friend stepped 
from the ranks of Battery "A" survivors when Captain Peter P. W^ood passed 
away at his home in Chicago, Dec. 13, 1865. He was born in New York 
City, Nov. 10, 1834, and was therefore but a little past his thirty-first birth- 
day when he died. He came to Chicago with his parents when about eight 
years old. and was educated in the public schools -of the city. While at school 
he was a bright, intelligent scholar, and was always a favorite with his teach- 
ers and schoolmates. In his home life he was a devoted and affectionate son 
and brother, wholly unselfish in every way and always cheerful and consid- 
erate. Thronghont his life he was a great reader, and his choice of books 
was excellent. He left school at the age of fifteen and was employed in the 
office of Higginson & Co., lumber merchants, and later was bookkeeper 
for Mears & Co., in the same business. In the spring of 1855 he entered the 
employ of Hannah, Lay & Co., one of the largest lumber firms in the city, 
and remained there until April 19, 1861, when he enlisted in Battery "A," in 
Chicago, and was chosen Junior Second Lieutenant. He was in command 
of the battery in nearly all its engagements, the exceptions being once or 
twice when he was at home on sick furlough, and each time he returned 
before he was recovered, risking his life in doing so. The last time he was 
at home on sick leave was just before the expiration of the three years' term 
of the battery, and, though in a weak condition, he went back to the field, 
that he might have the joy and honor of returning with his brave command 
to be mustered out, which was done July 2$. 1864. Those who witnessed 
that return will ever remember the triumphal march of the battery, and the 
glorious reception given by the citizens of Chicago. After the war Captain 
Wood was inspector of lumber, and he followed this business until about 
one month before his death, from a disease which he contracted in front of 
Jackson, Miss., which caused him much suffering, especially during the last 
year of his life, and finally resulted fatally. He was slightly wounded and 
had a very narrow escape from death at Jackson, by the fragment of an ex- 
ploding shell striking his arm and tearing away a portion of the sleeve of In- 
blouse. His reports of several of the important engagements of the battery 




GEORGE M. SCOTT 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 249 



arc published in full in this battery's history, also copious extracts from his 
private letters, all of which speak of his pride in the men of his command and 
according them full credit for the part they bore. Captain Wood strongly 
objected to any promotion, except through his own merit, and any outside 
pressure brought to bear to secure promotion was most distasteful to him. 
A relative of Captain Wood's was very anxious for his promotion, and for the 
purpose of securing it wrote to General Sherman for it, without the Captain's 
knowledge. The reply of < leneral Sherman is given below in full, as it is a 
deserved tribute to a brave soldier from one of the greatest commanders of 
the age : 

Department of the Tennessee. On the "Diana." 

Feb. 29, 1864. 
'Dear Sir: Absence in the interior, away from mails for a month, is the 
reason of the non-receipt of yours of Jan. 26 till to-day. I hasten to assure 
you that I esteem Captain 1'. P. Wood, of Company "A," Chicago Light Ar- 
tillerv, as an officer of great merit. He has been with me everywhere, and 
has always done his whole duty. I have again and again commended him, 
and he knows I esteem him as an officer of great merit. I have done all in 
my power to notice and advance him, but it is true that commanders of bat- 
teries are only Captains, and it is hard to rise any higher in that service. Con- 
gress will not give volunteer officers brevets, and real advancement to them 
must come by way of promotion from the State of whose volunteer organiza- 
tion the}- form a part. 1 will go as far as you or any of Captain Wood's family 
or friends to advance him, and do him merited honor, but such is the fact, 
that in all armies of the world the commander of a battery is only a Captain, 
and brevets are not conferred on volunteers. So, you see, I am powerless. 
I would be pleased if you would show this to Captain Wood's family, and 
let this assure them that I have often, very often, stood by Wood's guns 
when served with a precision and skill which elicited my marked approval, 
especially at Arkansas Post, at Yieksburg and Jackson. He has always 
done his duty, and he knows I appreciate him. Truly yours. 

W. T. Sherman, Major General." 

Captain Wood was a communicant of St. James Episcopal Church, of 
which the Right Reverend Bishop Robert H. Clarkson, brother of Sergeant 
T. S. Clarkson, of our battery, was pastor. He wrote a letter to the members 
of the battery, who went from his church in the beginning of the war, among 
these being Ed Russell, George McCagg and Captain Wood. The letter 
was as follows: 

St. James Rectory, Chicago, 111. 
"To the gallant men who have gone from St. James Church, Chicago, to de- 
fend the Constitution and Laws: 

Dear Beloved: We are proud of you, and shall every day have you in 
our thoughts and in our prayers. May the God of battles bless, protect and 
keep you. No men on earth were called to a plainer and holier duty than 
you have been; and we expect to hear that you have done that duty well. 
The Right must triumph and Treason be overthrown, but it may cost us your 
precious lives. Be ready, then, for death, as well as victory. Repent of 




JAMES H. SHRIGLEY 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 25 1 



your sins, and have faith in Jesus Christ, your Savior, and the way is as 
short and straight to heaven from the battlefield as from your bed at home. 
As fast as you depart from us to the scenes of battle your names shall be 
read in the church, and constant and special prayers shall be offered for 
your health, your protection and your triumph. And if you fall in battle, I 
promise you that no efforts or means will be spared to procure your bodies, 
which shall be brought home and buried, if practicable, under the tower of 
the church: your names shall be graven upon its walls, to remain there while 
the stone itself remains, and our children's children shall be taught to revere 
your memories. * :;: * That you may return to us in health and safety, 
with no wound upon your body, no stain upon your valor, and no scar upon 
your Christian character, shall be the daily prayer of your affectionate friend 
and pastor, Robert H. Clarkson." 

Captain Wood's funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. 
Clarkson, who paid a loving and glowing tribute to the departed soldier. 
He said in part: '"One more hero has fallen! Long after the last cannon of 
war has ceased its firing, and the last campaign ended, another martyr has 
laid his life upon his country's altar. For none of us who have sadly 
watched the gradual fading away of this young man's life can doubt that he 
died for this government, for freedom, and for us, as truly as if his soul had 
gone up from his body amid the storm and crash of battle. When there 
rises upon yon deep foundation the noble tower which we here have solemnly 
pledged as a memorial to the valor and the self-sacrifice of our own brave 
boys, side by side with the names of Russel, Kinzie, Larrabee and DeWolf. 
et id omne genus, there should be carved in striking capitals that of Peter 
Preston Wood, our latest, and, we trust, our last martyr. He was among the 
very foremost of those who on that ever memorable 21st of April left us 
amid the prayers and tears, the sadness and the gladness of a great congre- 
gation, for the perils and endurance of camp and field. How he bore himself 
in all the years of that conflict, on scores of battlefields: how he led on to 
victory that famous battery, whose achievements were the pride of our city 
and a praise throughout the land, I need scarcely here describe. How, 
though wounded, faint and sick, with an enemy that would not be conquered 
preying upon his vitals, he never in all those lingering months of disease 
knew fear or despair, but still always hopeful, sanguine, enthusiastic, and 
stout-hearted— why should I tell you of these things: Who knew them as 
well? On his horse when he should have been in the hands of nurses; at the 
front when almost any one else would have been in the rear, cheering, en- 
couraging, inspiring and commanding others when he himself needed their 
care and ministrations, he was in every way, and every where, and always a 
model soldier and officer. 

"But his last battle has been fought. An enemy that shall one day 
conquer us all has at last overcome that resolute, patient, indomitable, and 
courageous spirit. * * * Triumphant in the hour of death: calm and tin- 




SILAS C. STIGER. 



HIS TOR V OF BA TTER Y "A." 253 

dismayed, in the certainties of approaching' dissolution; cool, collected, 
thoughtful, and unselfish, as if he had been in his office at his business, in- 
stead of on the bed of death; with the solemn services and the gracious aid 
of the holy communion of a Savior's love still lingering in his ear, and filling 
his soul with whispered prayers for a pardon and forgiveness, never denied to 
those who ask in Jesus' name, occupying his latest moments, he was conquer- 
ing the last enemy even while he was yielding to the inevitable lot of hu- 
manity. * :;: * His last words were: 'I thank God for my sickness; I am 
ready to go; thy will be done, < > Lord; ( lod bless you all," and gently passed 
away, carrying himself triumphantly through the last conflict. His memon 
will ever be cherished by his surviving comrades." 
Captain Wood had never married. 

THOMAS VY1LO >X. 

Thomas Wilcox was one of the three Wilcox brothers who served in 
the batteiw during the war, all of whom have passed away. He was born 
in Montgomery County, New York, where his childhood years were spent. 
The family moved to Chicago and settled on a farm near Blue Island, where 
they lived for many years. Thomas was engaged in farming at the breaking 
out of the war, and in August, [862, enlisted in the battery in Chicago, and 
went to join his brothers, Willard and Wilber, who had enlisted the year 
before. He served in the battery till mustered out at the close of the war. 
lie was made a prisoner before Atlanta, and held in Andersonville for eight 
months. After the war he returned home and engaged in farming at Wash- 
ington Heights until 1872, when lie moved on his farm, near Remington, 
Ind., where he lived until his death, which occurred June 2~, 1805. His 
remains were buried in the Remington Cemetery. He was married to Miss 
Lois K. Hastings, July 30, 1865. They had two children and two grand- 
children. His widow lives with her daughters at Remington. 

WILLIAM HARRISON YOUNG. 

The survivor of over two years of active military service in the civil war, 
coupled with sixteen months' captivity in rebel prison pens, is the creditable 
record of William H. Young. The story of his capture and. imprisonment is 
told by himself in Chapter 2 of this history, in the portion relating to the 
siege <>f Jackson, in a verv interesting and entertaining manner. lie was 
born in the city of Pittsburg. Pa., in July, 1840, where he lived until 1851, 
when he came to Chicago and has since made that city his home. He at- 
tended the public schools until 1858. Aug. 4. 1862, he enlisted in Battery 
"A," and joined it at Memphis. He took part in all of the marches and en- 




WILLIAM L. SOUTHWORTH. 



HISTOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 255 



gagements with the battery up to the siege of Jackson, Miss., where, with a 
number of others of the battery, he was taken prisoner, and held for sixteen 
months, as before stated. He was paroled Nov. 16, 1864, but having his 
"fighting mad up," he rejoined the battery in April, 1865, and served till mus- 
tered out at the close of the war, and there was no more fighting to be done. 
He came home and, in 1866, did the next best thing to being a soldier, which 
was to join the fire department of Chicago, in which be served three years. 
In 1869 be was appointed letter carrier, and he has been connected with the 
postoffice department ever since, being at present employed in the Registry 
Division of the General Postoffice, Chicago. He is, as he says, one of the few 
privates who, since the close of the civil war, has escaped promotion to any 
military rank other than private, and is well contented to be known and re- 
membered simply as a private of old Battery "A." He is at present the Vice 
President of the Battery Veteran Association. 





WILLIAM E. STOCKTON. 





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REUNIONS OF BATTERY "A," FIRST ILLINOIS 
ARTILLERY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The survivors of the battery at the close of the war were then of the 
age when most men were beginning to find their life's work, and take upon 
themselves the responsibilities and cares of the world's business, carving- 
out for themselves homes, reputations and fortunes. Having been relieved 
from the long-continued strain of military life and discipline, they had little 
inclination and less time to keep up old arm}' associations, in addition to 
their many other duties. After a number of years, being occasionally called 
together by the passing away of some of our numbers, the spirit of com- 
radeship began to revive. 

The city resident members of the battery, who naturally met each other 
occasionally, had for man)- years frequently discussed the subject of holding 
a reunion, but until 1885 nothing definite was accomplished. On Jan. 15 
of that year a call was issued by Comrades J. W. Rumsey, C. B. Kimbell 
and S. \Y. Rutterfiekk for a preliminary meeting, to make arrangements for 
a reunion. About a dozen members responded, and a committee of arrange- 
ments was appointed, consisting of Comrades Frank S. Allen, Chairman, 
Fred W. Young, W. L. Southworth, S. \Y. Butterfield, O. Benson, and S. 
S. Kind tell, with full power to act. Invitations were mailed to every member 
whose address could be obtained, and hearty responses were returned from 
all receiving them. The use of Battery "D" Armory was generously do- 
nated by Major Tobey. and the meeting was a complete success, and in every 
way satisfactory to all participants. 






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HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 



263 



The first reunion was held at Chicago, in Battery "D" Armory, Monday, 
Feb. 16, 1885, the anniversary of the surrender of Fort Donelson, in which 
Battle the battery was for the first time under the fire of rebel guns. 

The armory building was thrown open for the use of the members on 
Sunday and Monday, and many were in attendance. A photographic group 
was taken Monday afternoon, by the celebrated artist, C. D. Mosher, The 
weather was very unfavorable, extremely cold and snowing hard a portion of 
the time. Many members were deterred from attending by the snow block- 
ade of the railroads, which was general throughout the West. 

The following members were in attendance and signed the register: 
Arnold, Chas. L., Chicago. Lowe, Wm., Chicago. 

Abbott, A. R., Chicago. Mitchell, L. 1'... Chicago. 

Allen. Frank S., Chicago. Morgan, Harry, Blue Island, 111. 

Beach, Geo. B., Chicago. Maurer, I ass 1\, Chicago. 

Butterfield, S. W., Chicago. Phillips, Jas., Chicago. 

Bursdal. fr.. C. S., S. Evanston, 111. Pitts, A. V., Marseilles, 111. 



i Bailey, W. IT. Englewood, 111. 
[ Benson. ( )lof, Chicago. 

Baggot, I-M.. Chicago. 

Colby, Enoch, Chicago. 

Clark. Chas. E., Chicago. 

Clingman, Jacob, Wilmette, 111. 



I 'ease, S. X., Chicago. 
P lole, C. \Y.. Chicago ». 
Pendleton. Alfred W., Chicago. 
Pond, Henry H., Chicago. 
Pratt, Geo. A.. IT. Atkinson, Wis. 
Powell, Thos., Chicago. 



Clark, E. 1)., Lincoln Park, Chicago. Phillips, W. B., Marion, Iowa. 

Chase, H. W., Chicago. Phillips. W. S. I )ubois City, Pa. 

Dixson. Albert, Highland Park, 111. Redmond, J. J., Chicago. 

Dutch, J. B., Chicago. Rtunsey, J. W., Chicago. 

Foote. H. S., Milwaukee. Risky.' 1 1." B., Joliet, 111. 

Foster, O. C, Chicago. Steele. John, Chicago. 

Gindele, F. V., Chicago. Schaffer, John, Chicago. 

Gray, A. W., Chicago. Slosser, Mac., Chicago. 

Hughes. Ed., Chicago. Sherman, J. X.. Chicago. 

Hawks, Moses, Arlington Heights, 111. Stockton. \Y. E.. Chicago. 



Irwin, Jno. R., Chicago. 
Jacobs, L. F., Chicago. 
Johnson, W. H., Alpena, Mich. 
Kimbell, S. S., Chicago. 
Kimbell, C. B., Chicago. 
Kimbell. J. W., Chicago. 
Kantzler, Fred. M., Chicago. 
Kelley, Harrison, Chicago. 
Long, J. Henry, Chicago. 
Lepperr, W. H., Ottawa. 111. 



Swenie, F. T., Lake, 111. 
Smith, Chas. E., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Southworth, W. L. Chicago. 
Scott, G. M., Chicago. 
Tobey, Edgar I'.. Chicago. 
Williams, Edw. E., Xew York City 
Williams, S. < "... Chicago. 
Young, Fred \Y.. Chicago. 
Young, Wm. 1 1.. Chicago. 

I 




EDGAR P. TOBEY. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY ",C" 265 

The meeting was called to order at 8:15 p. m. by W. L. Southworth, 
in the absence of Frank S. Allen, Chairman of the Committee of Arrange- 
ments. S. S. Kimbell officiated as Secretary. The Secretary gave a brief 
history of the work done in preparing for the reunion, after which J. VV. 
Rumsey was chosen as the presiding officer of the evening. He thanked 
the comrades for the honor conferred, and congratulated them on the large 
number in attendance. He said: "When we realize that over twenty years 
have passed since we were last together, after passing through three vears 
of hard service in the most gigantic war of modern times, and look about 
this room this evening and see the large number of familiar faces 'of long 
ago,' we wonder that so little change has occurred to us, and that so many 
are spared to meet and recall the scenes of those trying times. We have 
met to effect a permanent organization of our surviving members. When 
we organize let it be permanent in fact as well as in name. Let it be the 
treasury of record of the battery's history during the war, and of contribu- 
tions from every member, of facts and incidents of interest to the members, 
relating to the battery or the war, which shall form a record worth}- of being 
handed down to our children and generations to come.'' He then announced 
the meeting as ready for the business of the evening. 

On motion of Comrade C. Ik Kimbell, the chairman appointed a com- 
mittee of nine on permanent organization. I Ie named the committee as fol- 
lows: Comrades C. B. Kimbell, Enoch Colby, Lew F. Jacobs, Fred. W. 
Young, Sam. \Y. Ihitterfield, F. V. Gindele, W. L. Southworth, J. R. Irwin 
and C. L. Arnold. 

While the committee was preparing its report, the Secretary read the 
roll call as it was printed in September, [861, at Paducah, in the "Picket 
Guard." a paper published by the boys of the company. The committee 
reported the following Constitution and By-Laws, which was adopted unani- 
mously: 

ARTICLE I. 

This organization shall be known as "The Battery 'A' C. L. A. Veteran 
Association." 

ARTICLE II. 

The object of this Association is to preserve and strengthen those kind 
and fraternal feelings which bound together the members of old Battery "A" 
who united in suppressing the late rebellion, and to perpetuate the history oi 
the batterv and the memory of its noble dead. 




SAMUEL H. TALLMADGE. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 2 67 



ARTICLE III. 

Section I. Regular meetings of this Association shall be held annually, 
on the call of the President. 

Sec. 2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, or 
he shad call such meeting upon the written application of five members. 

Sec. 3. Nine members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 
business. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Any member of the late Battery "A." First Illinois Artillery, shall be 
eligible to membership upon signing this constitution. Sons of members 
may be admitted as full members at the age of twenty-one. 

ARTICLE Y. 

Section 1. The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, 
six Vice Presidents, Secretary. Recording Secretary, Treasurer and Ser- 
geant-at-Arms, and they shall constitute the Executive Committee. 

Sec. 2. The elective officers shall be chosen by vote at the regular an- 
imal meeting, and shall hold office for the term of one year, or until their 
successors are duly elected. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary 
for a choice. If there is no election on the first ballot, the name of the com- 
rade receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped, and so on in 
successive ballots until an election is made. 

Sec. 3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association. 

Sec. 4. The Vice Presidents shall perform such duties as may be re- 
quired of them by the President, and in his absence shall take his place, in 
the order of their rank. 

Sec. 5. The Secretary shall keep in books properly prepared a journal 
of the proceedings of the Association. 

Sec. 6. The Recording Secretary shad keep a roster, in which he shall 
enter the names of all members, with their residence and address, with a col- 
umn for remarks, making such changes from time to time as shall come to 
his knowledge. He shall also gather and preserve all matters of historical 
interest connected with the old battery or any of its members. 

Sec. 7. The Treasurer shall receive and safely keep all moneys belong- 
ing to the Association, and pay the same out only on the order of the Presi- 
dent, or in his absence that of the Recording Secretary. He shall make a 
report at each regular meeting of the amount received since his last report, 
the amount disbursed, and the amount remaining in the treasury, which 
shall be entered on the minutes. His books and vouchers shall at all times 
be subject to inspection by the President and Executive Committee. 

Sec. 8. The Executive Committee shall have the management of the 
general affairs of the Association, and the appropriation of its funds, but 







JOHN TACK. 



II /S TORY OF BA T TER J "•'/.' ' 269 

shall have no power to make the Association liable for any debt or debts to 
an amount which shall exceed the amount of cash in the hands of the Treas- 
urer, not otherwise appropriated, and shall report their proceedings at the 
regular meetings. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall preserve order at all meet- 
ings. Vacancies may be filled by the President. 

ARTICLE VI. 
The Association will be sustained by the voluntary subscriptions of its 
members. 

ARTICLE VII. 
This Constitution shall only be amended at an annual meeting by a 
majority present. 

REGULAR MEETING. 
i. Association called to order by the President. 

2. Roll of ( )fficers and Members called by the Secretary. 

3. Reading of Journal of last regular or special meeting. 

4. Report of Treasurer and Executive Committee. 

5. Reading Miscellaneous Communications. 

6. Unfinished and new business. 

7. Balloting for Officers. 

A committee -on nomination of officers was then appointed, consisting of 
Comrades O. C. Foster, W. II. Young, Chas. E. Smith, John Redmond, Ed. 
Clark, Mac. Slosser and Ed. Hughes. They reported the following ticket: 
For President, J. W. Rumsey; First Vice President. E. P. Tobey; Second, 
F. W. Young. Third, Wm. H. Johnson: Fourth, J. Henry Long; Fifth, H. 
W. Chase: Sixth. Ed. Raggot; Sergeant-at-Arms. Lew F. Jacobs; Treas- 
urer. S. S. Kimbell; Secretary, C. B. Kimbell; Corresponding Secretary, W. 
L. Southworth. 

The ticket as reported was elected unanimously. After deciding to hold 
the next reunion July 22. 1886, the meeting adjourned to the upper rooms, 
where a bountiful spread had been laid on tables arranged in an oblong oc- 
tagonal shape around a hollow square, the seats facing inward, enabling 
every face at the table to be seen by the others. A simultaneous attack was 
made on the viands along the whole line, and after about an hour's easy 
work, the company resolved itself into a harmonious informal gathering. 
Comrade Rumsey arose and acknowledged his thanks for the members' 
kindness in electing him the first President. He proposed a toast to the 
memories of our departed comrades, which was drank in silence standing. 
The Secretary then read the following letters, in response to invitations sent, 
addressed to the Committee of Arrangements: 




FREDERICK O. WHITSOX. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY " /." 271 



"Your invitation received; 1 will be with you in spirit, but not in the 
fleshj as it will be impossible for me to get off duty. (R. R. mail agent. i 
Wishing von a pleasant time, 1 remain, yours truly, 

"I-:. S. Hills, Atlanta, Ga." 



"I very much regret not being able to attend on account of my bad 
health, not being able to work only about a fourth of the time. 

"M. A. Chittenden, Atchison, Kan.*' 

"I should be very happy to attend, but, as 1 am a railroad man, I am out 
of the city on Feb. 16. Silas C. Williams, Chicago." 



"I am very sorry that 1 cannot accept your invitation; \ am so situated 
that I will not be able to get away. Nothing thai I know of would afford me 
greater pleasure than to see the "old boys." I wish you a splendid time. 
Send paper, if possible. Yours in !■'.. C. & L., 

"Wm. Furness, ( )gdensbur<>\ X. Y." 



"I regret that it will be impossible for me to 'fall in' at the call of the old 
bugle on the i6th. My heart will be with you. 

"J. G. Eastwood. A. G. ( ). War Dept., Washington. D. C." 

"Gladly would I embrace the opportunity of meeting with my old com- 
rades of Battery "A," C. L. A., but it will be impossible for me to do so, on 
the 1 6th inst., the aniversary of the battle of Fort Donelson, where the first 
real victory of the war was won, and where Battery "A," using double 
charges (two canisters, then a canister and a shrapnel), held the rebel host in 
check' until our brigade (Lew Wallace's) came up and drove them inside their 
fortifications, where they surrendered ( [3,000) the next morning. I well 
remember how bravely we were supported by the gallant First Nebraska 
Infantry. I shall think' of you during the reunion and at the same time my 
mind will go over our camp life, as well as the battles of Fort Donelson. 
Shiloh, Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Vicks- 
burg. Jackson, Chattanooga, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty and Kennesaw 
Mountain, in which, we participated. 1 hope it will be so that most of the 
boys will be able to hear *Rexford's "Bugle Blasts," and that you may have 
a grand reunion and make them permanent. With kindest regards to each 
and every member of the battery, as well as to all our noble friends in Chi- 
cago, who remembered us in time of need. \ am. very truly, your most obe- 
dient servant. John T. Council. ( irand Claud. Hall County, Neb." 

*Rexford fully expected to be on hand with his old bugle to stir up the 
boys, but was prevented by the serious illness of his aged father. Every 
one was disappointed, but none more so that brave old "Rex" himself. 




MAJ. CHARLES M. WILLARD. 



HIS TOR i ' OF BA TTER Y ' V7. " 273 



"Thanks for your invitation. I regret that I cannot be there. 1 should 
be glad to be called on for my share of the necessary funds. 

"G. E. Adams, Washington, D. C." 



"I regret exceedingly that my duties here will not permit me to enjoy 
the first reunion of old Battery 'A.' When I read that Rexford, the old 
bugler, would be on hand, scenes of the past came to my mind, and T had a 
pleasant time thinking of my old comrades. I trust I shall be aide to attend 
some of your future meetings. I wish each and every one of you a pleasant 
reunion and a happy evening together. Don't forget to count me in as a 
member if you should organize permanently, and what dues there may be 
1 want to pay them, and if any of the boys should visit Florida, don't fail 
to call on me, and I will try and make it pleasant for them. Your comrade, 

"A. Stewart, Sorrento. ( )range County, Fla." 



"I am very sorry that I cannot be at the meeting Feb. id. as 1 leave 
for Xew York on the first and will not return in time. You can put me down 
as one of the 'boys,' and I will be present at next meeting, if in the city. 

"S. J. Sherwood, Chicago." 



'Mr. J. P. Hemw has been dead nearly two years. 

"P. L. I lenrv (son), Areola, 111." 



"I regret not being able with safety to myself to attend the reunion and 
meet all my old comrades that may be present. Give my regards to all of 
them. Wishing all a jolly time. I am. etc.. 

"Tas. H. Shrigley, Manistee, Mich." 



"I am very sorrv that I cannot be with you, but my business is such that 
1 cannot leave it. Although I cannot be there, my heart is with you, and 1 
wish you the greatest success and pleasure in this, your first meeting, and I 
svish further to say that I feel just as well as I did in the old days of Battery 
'A.' 1 enclose my picture, though a rather poor one, and wish I had the 
pictures of you all, as the remembrance of you and the old days we passed 
together are among my dearest recollections. Your sincere friend, 

"John Tack (per John Sherman Tack), Syracuse, X. Y." 



"I regret my inability to attend the reunion of the company, especially 
so as I have not been located so as to meet with the 'boys' since the war, 
being. T think, the only living member of the company located in the South. 
I shall think of you all on the l6th, and wish you a happy time. Tell John 
Schaffer I have quit hanging my 'haversack' on his caisson, but often think 
of the time I did, down on the Tallahatchie. 

"John M. Peters. Memphis, Tenn." 




CAPT. PETER P. WOOD. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A" 275 



"My Dear Old Comrades: I was in hopes of being able to attend the 
reunion of the battery, but now find it will be impossible f< »r me to get away. 
I hope I may be able to take part in future meetings and that I may be put 
down as one of you in the new organization. My kindest wishes to all the 
old comrades, and I only wish I could be there and talk over old times and 
see you all. Williams will be with you, he writes me. I have sent a message 
to where I thought John Day might be, but have not heard from him. Do 
not know where Daily is, but will still make efforts to find him. God bless 
you all. F. S. Church, 58 East 13th street. New York City." 



"Please say to my old comrades I greatly regret that a similar enter- 
tainment, of which I am chairman, occurs here the 17th, preventing my at- 
tendance at your reunion, which, under other circumstances, I would travel 
1,000 miles to attend. I am delighted that the project has been started, and 
you can count me in for it hereafter. Let us meet and re-cement the old 
ties of comradeship so long as any of us last, and "1 Eere's a health to the last 
man that dies.' May you have as good a time as you anticipate. I shall be 
with you in spirit if not in the rlesh. My warmest regards to all the 'boys.' 
Very truly, T. S. Clarkson, Schuyler, Neb., 

"Senior Vice Commander G. A. R., Dept. of Neb." 



"As much as I would like to be with you, I have got to forego the 
pleasure of meeting the boys on account of ill health, but my heart is with 
you. God bless you all. Wm. O. Rice, Osseo, Wis." 



"I do not know of anything that would please me more than to be with 
you, but I dare not attempt the trip on account of my health. I hope you will 
enjov yourselves and keep up the old company organization, for our ranks 
are growing thinner annually. I have not seen a member of Battery 'A 
since 1868, and would like to see you all. and hope you will enjoy yourselves, 
as I know I would if I could be with you. 

"A. C. Hall (Garibaldi). Des Moines. Iowa." 



"I regret that business and family affairs render it impossible for me to 
be with you on that occasion, but in interest and sympathy I am with you 
most heartily. I know of no organization that can more consistently meet 
to perpetuate by fraternal communion the memories of the past. While we 
all deplore the war, its causes, and the fearful loss of life and treasure inci- 
dent thereto, I rejoice in the fact that there was a Battery 'A,' and am more 
than proud of my membership in it. Convey to the members my regrets 
for absence, and my hope of being present at some future gathering. My 
best wishes for the health, happiness and prosperity of all. Use my 'mite' 
(enclosed) for the benefit of the organization. Your friend, 

"H. Roberts, Seneca Falls, X. Y." 




THOMAS WILCOX. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY ",/." 277 

"It is with most sorrowful regret I am compelled to tell you it is only 
the condition of my health that prevents me from attending- the reunion. It 
would he a pleasure to meet with those that are left of the old crowd, espe- 
cially with that gang that stole the roof from the Irishman's shanty at Mem- 
phis. A. I'. Maddock, Chicago." 



"Greatly do I regret my inability to he present at that time. The name 
1 lattery 'A' hlls my soul with vivid memories and admiration of your gallant 
and heroic services. All honor to the brave boys. 

"E. I'. Wilcox. Yankton, Dakota." 



"You cannot imagine how it grieves me to inform you of my inability 
to he present at the reunion. I should enjoy above all things to mingle 
once again with my former companions in arms. It has been my desire for 
years to be permitted to attend a reunion of our old battery, and now that 
there is an opportunity, 1 am obliged to remain away on account of sickness. 
1 have never seen a well da}' since my release from Andersonville. I hope 
your efforts to get the boys together will be successful, and that in recount- 
ing" the incidents connected with army life, the names of our gallant dead, 
who answered the last summons, and have crossed to the 'other shore' in 
advance of those who are left yet a little while, may not be forgotten. Your 
friend, Win. II. Cowlin, Woodstock", 111." 



"Nothing would afford me more pleasure than to meet with Battery 
'A' once more. Of all my associations during the late 'unpleasantness,' 
there are none more highly treasured than with 'the' battery, but my business 
is such now that it will be impossible for me to leave home. Hoping you 
may have an enjoyable time and many more of them. 1 am very truly, 

"James R. Ross, Indianapolis. Ind." 



"I am sorry I cannot be with you at your reunion of Wood's Battery on 
the 1 6th inst. I have good reason to remember that batter}' at Shiloh and 
\ icksburg, and am glad enough remain to meet and celebrate their devo- 
tion to the cause and country. Truly your friend. 

"W. T. Sherman, St. Louis." 



"I am so situated here that it will be impossible for me to accept your 
kind invitation for the l6th inst. Please convey to your comrades my sin- 
cere regards and my best wishes for their success. 

"John A. Logan, Springfield, 111." 



"In answer to your very cordial invitation. I reply for General Wallace, 
he being at his post in Constantinople. Were he at home I am sure he would 
greatly enjoy fighting the old battles over again, at the coming reunion. 




WILLIAM H. YOUNG. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY • /. " 279 



And your expression of good feeling (for which let me thank yon heartily), 
is all the more grateful, coming as it does when the accusations over the dis- 
puted held of Shiloh are being brought forward with fresh vigor and warmth. 
It will give me sincere pleasure to forward your letter to my husband, and 
have you convey to his friends and especially to the members of 'Wood's 
Batterv' the unfailing interest and friendship of their old comrade in arms. 
Very truly yours. Susan E. Wallace. Crawfordsville, Ind." 



"It would be a great pleasure to take again by the hand the survivors of 
that glorious old battery, win ise gallant services in the field it was my good 
fortune on several occasions to witness. I regret that my arrangements to 
go to New York City before that event are already made, and cannot be 
postponed without inconveniencing others that I am not at liberty to do. 
Please present to them my best wishes for their prosperity, hoping you will 
organize permanently, that you may have the satisfaction of standing by 
one another in the every day battle of life as manfully as you used to do on 
the field of danger, I am your friend and comrade. 

"John McArthur, Chicago." 



After the reading of the letters, a condensed history of the battery, by 
Comrades Gindele, C. B, Kimbell and Enoch Colby was read by Comrade 
Foster, after which the banquet closed, and the boys gathered in a group at 
the end of the hall and had a genuine old-fashioned Batter}- 'A' love feast. 
singing all the old songs, telling stories and jokes on one another, and at 
midnight they regretfully dispersed, all feeling well repaid for braving the 
cold and storm to attend, and urging one another to not fail to attend the 
next reunion, July 28, [886, and all bring their wives and babies, large and 
small. 

The second annual reunion of the association was held at Battery "D" 
Armory, July 28, [886. .Members in attendance were: John W. Rumsey, 
President; E. P. Tobey. F. W. Young. J. 11. Long. H. W. Chase, E. Baggot, 
C. B. Kimbell, W. L. Southworth, S. S. Kimbell. L. E Jacobs. E. V. Gin- 
dele, M. N. Kimbell Sr., G. M. Scott. George King, J. X. Sherman, James 
Phillips, C. W. Poole. S. G. Williams, H. H. Pond. L. B. Mitchell, J. J. 
Redmond, F. S. Allen, A. C. Hall. E. Colby Jr., E. R. Howard. John Steeie, 

E. H. Rexford, John Schaffer. ( )lof Benson, S. X. Pease, James F. Crocker. 

F. M. Kantzler, A. W. Pendleton, J. R. Irwin, J. W. Kimbell, G. M. Brown, 
Ed Hughes, W. E. Stockton. C. E. Clark. A. V. Pitts, Harry Morgan, J. 1'.. 
Dutch, Mac. Slosser, Jerry Maloney, < i. A. Pratt. O. C. Foster. The Sec 




FREDERICK W. YOUXG. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY ".-/ " 281 

retary submitted a printed report in pamphlet form, as the minutes of pro- 
ceedings of first reunion, which was received and approved as such. The 
following" was also submitted, in addition to the printed report, which was 
also approved: "Since our first reunion two of our number have passed away: 
Augustine P. Maddock, in Chicago, May [6, [885, and Willard I. Wilcox, in 
San Francisco, in the fall of 1885. Maddock left no family that is known of. 
Wilcox left a wife and three children in comfortable circumstances." 

A copy of the Reunion and Battery History was sent the Chicago His- 
torical Society, which was acknowledged as follows: "The Society has re- 
ceived and entered on catalogue a copy of the Battery History, for which I 
have the honor to return the Society's grateful acknowledgment." (Signed.) 
A. D. Hager, Secretary. Feb. 19, 1886. 

I die hundred and two notices of the second reunion were mailed to 
members, to which fifty-four responses were received. The Treasurer's 
report was read and approved. ( hi motion of Comrade Colby, M. X. Kim- 
bell Sr.. and John L. Stockton were elected honorary members. The fol- 
lowing sons of members who had reached the age of twenty-one years, were 
added to the list of membership. John Schaffer, Ethan A. Cray, George T. 
Phillips, James E. Baggot and Richard E. Powell. 

There being no further new or unfinished business, the election of offi- 
cers was proceeded with. The Chair appointed as Nominating Committee. 
Comrades J. H. Long, S. S. Kimbell, Ed Hughes, James Phillips and A. C. 
Hall. The committee reported the following ticket, which, on motion, was 
elected unanimously, the Secretary being instructed to cast one ballot for 
same: E. P. Tobey. President: F. S. Allen, First Vice President; E. F. 
Jacobs, Second Vice President; W. E. Stockton. Third Vice President; O. 
C. Foster, Fourth Vice President; G. AC Scott, Fifth Vice President; Enoch 
Colby, Sixth Vice President; C. P. Kimbell, Secretary; W. L. Southworth, 
Recording Secretary; H. W. Chase. Treasurer; J. R. Irwin. Sergeant-at- 
Arms; E. H. Rexford, Musical Director. The business meeting then ad- 
journed to meet in September, 1887, or on call of the Executive Committee. 
The comrades then proceeded to the upper room, where a sumptuous 
banquet was spread, the bill of fare containing, among other things: "Spring 
1 t86i) Chicken." which reminded the "boys" of the days when they would 
have been glad to get a piece of even a more antique fowl than that. A large 
number of letters of regret were read from absent comrades, and brief ones 




CAPT. E. P. WILCOX. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "4." 283 

from Generals Sherman, Logan and Lew Wallace were read. Short speeches, 
music and singing of old war songs concluded the second reunion and even- 
ing's entertainment. 

A special meeting of the association was held at "D" Battery Armory. 
April i<>, [887, twenty-three members being present. The following resolu- 
tions were unanimously passed: "Comrade Samuel W. Butterfield died April 
7. 1887. at his residence, 296 Elm street, Chicago. He has finished his labors 
1 hi earth, and has been suddenly called to enter the eternal and better life. It 
is fitting that we, his intimate associates and comrades in arms should bear 
testimony to the maimer in which he discharged his duties here. Therefore, 
we declare that by his death we have sustained a severe loss. During his 
entire career as a citizen he has always shown himself to be an upright, 
honorable man, possessed of many virtues. His modest but firm deport- 
ment marked him as a gentleman. Whatever he undertook he did well, and 
every duty he assumed was faithfully discharged. As a soldier he was true 
and loyal, and he was excelled by none in bis courage and fidelity to the cause 
of his country in her hour of peril. As a husband he was kind, affectionate 
and true, and altogether he left a record well worthy of imitation. We ten- 
der to the wife of our departed comrade our deepest sympathy in this her 
great bereavement and affliction." The minutes of the regular and special 
meetings having been read and approved, the Treasurer, Comrade Chase, 
presented his report: 

Cash on hand from second reunion (including receipts for 

badges ) $71 .43 

Paid out during the year — Mourning Badges 25.00 

Carriages for Comrade Butterfield's funeral 16.20 

Repairing monument i5-oo — 56.20 

Leaving balance on hand Oct. 4, 1887 '. $13-23 

The Secretary, Comrade C. B. Kimbell, read the report of the Execu- 
tive Committee as follows: The committee would report that during the year 
three of our comrades have passed away: Samuel W. Butterfield, Francis 
Morgan and Jeremiah Maloney. A large number of comrades were in at- 
tendance at Comrade Butterfield's funeral. Very short notice was had of 
Comrade Morgan's death, and but few could attend. Comrade Maloney's 
death was not known by any of the committee until some time after his fu- 
neral. ( >ur monument and the graves at Rose Hill were appropriately dec- 



284 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

orated on Decoration Day, twelve of our comrades being on hand. We had 
the monument treated to a coating of preservative, and it is now in good 
condition to stand for many years without any additional expense. One 
hundred and four notices of this reunion were mailed to comrades, many of 
whom responded. 

The following sons of veterans, having attained their majority, were 
admitted as members of the association: 

Henry King, son of George King. 

Sherman T. Kimbell, son of C. B. Kimbell. 

Louis A. Gray, son of A. W. Gray. 

The names of George Anderson, father of Alex. Anderson, and John 
Alston, father of James Alston, were ordered placed on the honorary mem- 
bership list. 

A committee on obituary notices was appointed to draft resolutions on 
the deaths of Comrades Morgan and Maloney, consisting of Comrades 
Enoch Colby, A. W. Pendleton and F. V. Gindele. 

The election of officers for the ensuing year being next in order, the 
Chair appointed as Nominating Committee, Comrades J. H. Long, George 
M. Scott, A. V. Pitts, Fred W. Young and S. S. Kimbell. 

The committee submitted the following names for the offices for 1887-8: 
President, Frank S. Allen; First Vice President, Wm. H. Young; Second 
Vice President, Jacob Clingman; Third Vice President, Ferd. V. Gindele; 
Fourth Vice President, Wm. Lowe; Fifth Vice President, C. W. Poole; 
Sixth Vice President, James Phillips; Secretary, C. B. Kimbell; Recording 
Secretary, W. L. Southworth; Treasurer, H. W. Chase; Sergeant-at-Arms, 
Ed. Hughes; Musical Director, E. H. Rexford. The Secretary was in- 
structed to cast one ballot for the association for the officers named, and 
the Chair declared them duly elected. This closed the business meeting. 
The members then adjourned to the parlors, where the wives, daughters and 
sisters of many of the comrades were in waiting. After a short time spent 
in introductions and conversation, the entire party proceeded to the upper 
hall, where tables had been spread for the accommodation of about eighty, 
which was as many as the Committee of Arrangements felt warranted in 
providing for, judging from the number of responses received to invitations 
sent out. Over one hundred were in attendance, which somewhat disturbed 
the caterers and interfered with the prompt and satisfactory service which 



HISTORY OF BATTERY il A." 



285 



they expected to render; but all exerted themselves to the utmost to "bridge 
over the difficulty." and all enjoyed the banquet. 

The third annual reunion of the Veteran Association was held at Chi- 
cago, in Battery "D" Armory. Tuesday, Oct. 4, 1887. An informal recep- 
tion was held during the day. the following comrades acting as the Recep- 
tion Committee: W. H. Young, J. W. Kimbell. George M. Scott, John R. 
Irwin. Ed. Hughes and John Schafrer. 

The managers of the Shiloh Panorama kindly invited the comrades to 
visit the panorama in the afternoon, many of whom availed themselves of 
the opportunity to inspect this wonderful and life-like painting. 

The following comrades registered during the day: 



Win. Furness. 
Thos. Wilcox. 
J. W. Kimbell. 
H. P.. Risley. 
S. S. Kimbell. 
Geo. M. Scott. 
Ed. Hughes. 
VV. IP Young. 
J. X. Sherman. 
Jas. Phillips. 
M. X. Kimbell. Sr. 
W. E. Stockton. 
Will Powe. 

E. S. Hills. 

F. W. Young, 
C. P. Kimbell. 
En< >ch Colby. 
J. H. Pong. 



H.W. Chase. 
W. H. Lepperr. 
G. M. Brown. 

P. F. Jacobs. 

E. P. Tobey. 

F. V. Gindele. 
b Pn R. Irwin. 
( reorge King. 
Ed Mendsen. 
C. E. Clark. 

W. P. Southworth. 
A. V. Pitts. 
Henry H. Handy. 
J. Clingman. 
George E. Adams. 
Mac. Sldsser. 
[ohn Steele. 



A. W. Pendleton. 
E. Baggot. 
J. P. Haslett. 
Stephen X. Pease. 
John Schaffer. 
J. J. Redmond. 
A. M. Kinzie. 
Chas. J. Sauter. 
C. W. Poole. 
E. D. Clark. 

E. H. Rexford. 
James Crocker. 
Allen W. Gray. 
Thomas Powell. 
Cass F. Maurer. 

F. M. Kantzler. 
Harry Morgan. 



P. P. Powell. 

Comrade Rumsey was unavoidably absent in Dakota and Comrade 
Allen was confined to his house by sickness, with which he had been af- 
flicted several months. 

A relic of the war in the shape of a genuine hardtack, one of the last 
meals issued to the battery by Commissary Chase in 1864, was on exhibition, 
having been contributed by Comrade John Tack, of Syracuse. 

A copy of the play bill of the Battery Theatrical Co. at Parkinsville, in 
1864. was contributed by a friend, and as an interesting and valuable relic 
of those days, attracted considerable attention from the "boys." It is given 
in full in Chapter IP of this history, in the portion relating to Parkinsville. 



286 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A. 



After the banquet letters of regret were read from the following absent 
comrades: J. H. Shriglev, Harry Roberts, C. L. Church, A. R. Abbott, E. 
P. Fish, Charles E. Smith. John Tack. W. H. Bailey, W. O. Rice, W. H. 
Cowlin, A. C. Hall (Garabaldi), Adam Stewart, Meric Gould, John T. Con- 
nell, Edward Johnson, John H. Page, E. E. Williams, T. A. McKnight, 
Charles A. Lamb, and George A. Pratt. Letters were also read from Gen- 
erals Sherman and Lew Wallace, Commissioner of Pensions John C. Black 
and Mrs. S. W. Butterfield. A fine selection of instrumental war music was 
rendered by Comrade Rexford, cornet; his daughter Laura, violin, and Miss 
Sarah M. Kimbell, piano. Prof. McCosh's orchestra discoursed appropriate 
music during the evening, and aided materially in drowning any discords 
the "bovs" may have produced in bringing out the old war songs which had 
not been rehearsed for a concert since the war. Many comrades who were 
noted as singers of special pieces during the war, were called upon for songs, 
but invariably declined, though Comrades Handy and Southworth prom- 
ised to rehearse ''Larboard Watch" during the coming year, and Jake Cling- 
man was warned to be prepared with "Fairy Bell" for the next reunion. M. 
N. Kimbell, Sr., was called upon, and made a few feeling remarks, and con- 
gratulated the "boys" on the records they had made since, as well as during, 
the war; and he heartily approved of their plan of adding the presence of 
their lady relatives to their reunions, there being between thirty and forty 
present. 

The Executive Committee was authorized to fix the date for the reunion 
for next year, as in their judgment would be best. It was midnight when the 
meeting finally dispersed, and the good-bys for another year were spoken. 

The fourth annual reunion of the association was held at Battery "D" 
Armorv, Oct. 4, 1888, President Comrade Frank S. Allen presiding. After 
the roll call the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Treas- 
urer Comrade H. W. Chase read his report showing: 

Receipts from members for preceding year %\yj.2i 

Payments as per vouchers 146.75 

Leaving balance on hand $30.48 

Which report was approved and placed on file. The Executive Com- 
mittee, through Secretary C. B. Kimbell, submitted their annual report, a« 
follows: 

The committee has had occasion to hold but one meeting during the 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A" 287 



past year, which was on July 2~, and was for the purpose of arranging for 
this, our fourth annual reunion. The following committees were appointed: 
Reception, George M. Scott, Wm. H. Young, J. \Y. Kimbell, James 
Phillips, Ed. Hughes; Entertainment, S. S. Kimbell, Jacob Clingman, O. C. 
Foster; Banquet, H. W. Chase. \Y. L. Southworth; Music, E. H. Rexford. 

One hundred and twenty-three notices were mailed to members and 
responses were received from fifty-seven only, twenty sending regrets, and 
thirty-seven acceptances. Since our last reunion one member has passed 
away. George E. Cooper died December 17, 1887, in Chicago. One hon- 
orary member, George Anderson, father of Alex. Anderson, died in October 
last, one month after his admission into our association. The additional 
addresses of six of our old comrades were received by the Secretary during 
the vear, to whom copies of the history and reunion pamphlets were mailed. 
Copies of same were also sent to Judge Advocate of Department of Iowa, 
( 1. A. R., George M. Van Louven, who wished to obtain a list of our mem- 
bers for the purpose of assisting a former member of our battery, name not 
given, to get a pension. The Secretary was able to furnish an affidavit for 
Comrade Meric Gould, of Monroe (now of Brest), Michigan, which as- 
sisted him in securing a pension of $6 per month, which he acknowledged 
in a very appreciative letter. Comrade Fred S. Church was expected to fur- 
nish an illustrated "bill of fare" for this occasion, but, being absent from 
home, did not receive our letter in time. He promises to show the boys at 
our next reunion that he has not forgotten them. ( )ur roster now contains 
123 names. Our ranks are gradually being thinned and but a few years will 
elapse before it will be necessary to have the name of every survivor in 
order to make a quorum. We would urge the members to show their re- 
membrance of our departed comrades by decorating the monument at Rose 
Hill each Decoration Day as far as possible. The report as read was re- 
ceived and ordered on file. Letters of regret were read from Comrades C. 
E. Smith, C. L. Church. W. O. Rice, John Tack, E. P. Fish, W. H. Bailey, 
Hoxie L. Hoffman. Ed. E. Williams, Adam Stewart, J. H. Shrigley, H. H. 
Handy, J. B. Day, Harry Roberts, Moses Hawks and W. H. Johnson. Com- 
rade F. V. Gindele read the following resolutions on the death of Comrades 
Frances Morgan and Jeremiah Malonev: 

"Whereas, Death has removed from our midst Comrade Frances Mor- 
gan, who was in command of our battery in the early part of the war. in 
1862, and was obliged to resign his commission on account of ill health.; Re- 



288 HISTORY OF BATTERY 'A. 1 ' 



solved. That by his death another name has been added to the list of those 
who have joined the silent majority of our country's defenders. Capt. Mor- 
gan possessed fine ability as a drillmaster, and much of the efficiency of our 
battery during the war was due to the instruction given by him during the 
three months' service; Resolved, That this association deeply sympathize 
with the bereaved family of the deceased, and that a copy of these resolutions 
be spread upon the records of our association. And. Whereas, It has 
pleased Almighty God to remove from our ranks Comrade Jeremiah Ma- 
loney, a faithful and brave soldier, and one of the youngest in the battery, 
therefore be it Resolved, That in his death we mourn the loss of a comrade 
who, though young in years, faithfully stood by us in many battles in the 
face of the enemy, a true and courageous soldier, always ready when duty 
called, and never lagging in zeal and enthusiasm in the cause of his country; 
Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with the family of our late comrade 
in their bereavement, and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to them, 
and also spread upon the records of the association." Signed by Enoch 
Colbv and F. V. Gindele, Committee. The resolutions were adopted unani- 
mously by a rising vote. 

A Nominating Committee appointed by the Chair, consisting 
of Comrades W. L. Southworth, F. \Y. Young, George King, James 
Phillips, W. H. Young, S. S. Kimbell and P. P. Powell, reported and 
recommended the names of Enoch Colby, Jr., for President; Ed. Baggot, 
J. Henrv Long, George King, A. W. Pendleton. John Steele and Olaf 
Benson, Vice Presidents unmbered in the order named; C. B. Kimbell,, Sec- 
retary; F. V. Gindele, Recording Secretary; H. W. Chase, Treasurer; W. H. 
Young, Sergeant-at-Arms; and E. H. Rexford, Musical Director. The 
Secretary was instructed to cast one ballot for the names as reported, which, 
being done, the President declared them duly elected as officers of the asso- 
ciation for the ensuing year. Comrade Pitts asked for information as to 
how a proper discharge could be obtained for service during the three 
months' service, no discharges ever having been issued. After some discus- 
sion, the following resolution, offered by Comrade Jacobs, was adopted: 
"Resolved. That the Executive Committee be empowered to communicate 
with the proper authorities, either of the State or the United States, to the 
end that the members of three months' service should receive an honorable 
discharge signed by the Adjutant General of the State or United States. 

Comrade Allen, in behalf of the members, in a neat speech presented 
Secretarv Kimbell with an elegant gold-headed cane, suitably inscribed, as 
a token of their esteem and appreciation of his services to the association. 



If ! S7\ )RY OF BA TTER Y ".-V. " 289 



The event, with the well-chosen remarks of the President, completely un- 
nerved the recipient, who attempted to express his thanks as best he could 
for the unexpected gift. 

M. N. Kimbell, Jr., and John F. Powell, of Waukegan, Ilk, brother of 
Comrade P. P. Powell, were elected honorary members. James M. Baggot, 
son of Comrade Ed. Baggot, was admitted to membership as such. The 
meeting then adjourned to the upper rooms of the armory, where tables 
were spread and a substantial banquet served, after which an adjournment 
was had for one year. 

The fifth annual reunion of the association was held was held at Battery 
"D" Armory, Augusl 26, 1889, President Enoch Colby, Jr., in the Chair. In 
the absence on account of sickness of Secretary C. B. Kimbell, the min- 
utes of the last annual meeting were read by Recording Secretary E. V. Gin- 
dele, which were approved. He made a verbal report for the Executive 
Committee, stating that no business had been transacted by them during 
the year. The report of Treasurer Chase was read and approved and or- 
dered on file. The Chair appointed a Committee on Resolutions, consisting 
of Comrades W. E. Stockton, C. L. Arnold and E. D. Clark, on the death 
of Comrades Jacob Clingman and Francis T. Sweenie. Comrades P. P. 
Powell, W. S. Southworth, S. S. Kimbell. W. 11. Young and Charles W. 
Poole were appointed a committee to nominate officers for the association 
for the ensuing year. They reported the following nominations: President, 
Ed. Baggot: Vice Presidents, in the order named, J. Henry Long, W. E. 
Stockton, John Steele, < )laf Benson, James Phillips and C. L. Arnold: Sec- 
retary, C. P. Kimbell; Recording Secretary, F. V. Gindele; Treasurer. 11. 
W. Chase: Sergeant-at-Arms, E. D. Clark: Musical Director. E. IE Rexford. 
The Secretary was instructed to cast one ballot for the names submitted, 
which, being done, the Chair declared the comrades duly elected as officers 
for tlie association for the ensuing vear. The names of Walter K. ('lark and 

Pease, sons of Comrades E. D. Clark and S. X. Pease, were enrolled 

among the "Sons of Veterans" of the Battery Association. Comrade \11en 
reported regarding the condition of Comrade Jacobs, that he was still in the 
hospital and was desirous of seeing any of the boys whenever they could con- 
veniently call on him. The members then adjourned to the supper room, 
where a tempting and substantial spread awaited them. After the banquet, 
letters of regret were read from Comrades Ed. Baggot, C. B. Kimbell, II. S. 



290 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 



Foote, S. G. Williams. J. B. Day. S. H. Tallmadge, John Tack, E. S. Hill, C. 
L. Church. A. W. Pendleton, E. E. Williams, Wm. Furness, George M. 
Brown and Harry Roberts. The reunion then closed, adjourning till 1890. 
A special meeting of the association was held at Battery "D" Armory, 
November 4, 1889. There were present: Comrades E. Baggot, F. V. Gin- 
dele. George M. Scott, H. W. Chase, W. L. Southworth, E. D. Clark, Fred 
W. Young, H. \V. Young, Ed. Hughes, James Phillips, Wm. Lowe. John 
Steele and C. W. Poole. The object of the meeting was to take action on 
the death at the hospital of Comrade Lewis F. Jacobs, also to secure infor- 
mation regarding the graves of comrades at Rose Hill, in the battery lot, 
and not marked. A committee consisting of Comrades Y\\ L. Southworth, 
Frank S. Allen and C. W. Poole was appointed to draft suitable resolutions 
on the death of Comrade Jacobs, which occurred in this city Oct. 21, 1889. 
He had willed some property to the association, and proper action to place 
the same in trnst was taken under advisement, and the question of incorpo- 
rating the association was referred to the Executive Committee, with power 
to act. A meeting of the Executive Committee was held at the office of 
Comrade Baggot, Nov. 21, 1889. There were present Comrades E. Baggot, 
F. Y. ( rindele, James Phillips, O. Benson and H. W. Chase. C. B. Kimbell 
was absent in New York on account of sickness. Comrade Allen reported 
that the lot willed to the association by Comrade Jacobs was subject to his 
personal debts, which were not of very large amount, and unpaid taxes and 
special assessments. Comrade Allen is the executor of the estate and has 
probated the will. An offer has already been made for the lot, through 
Bowes & Cruikshank, for $1,000, part cash and balance on time. Commit- 
tees were appointed on headstones, consisting of Comrades Allen, H. W. 
Chase and Gindele, and on charter of Allen, Redmond and E. D. Clark. The 
committee then adjourned and held a subsequent meeting May 21, 1890, at 
the office of Comrade Baggot, 171 Adams street, at which were present Ed. 
Baggot, F. V. Gindele, Harry Morgan, John Steele, James Phillips, F. S. 
Allen, Enoch Colby, Jr., H. W. Chase, and C. B. Kimbell. Chairman Allen, 
of the Committee on Headstones, reported that he could get no definite in- 
formation of the Rose Hill Cemetery Company regarding the location of 
graves; although they had promised to do what they could, they had failed to 
accomplish anything definite. Chairman Gindele, of the Monument Com- 
mittee, reported that the iron rust spots in the monument had been cut out 



HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 291 

and stone plugs inserted in the holes. Painting the monument was recom- 
mended. A general discussion was had regarding the lot donated by Com- 
rade Jacobs, and various plans and suggestions were made for raising money 
to pay the debts of Jacobs, for which the lot was held, also to meet taxes 
and special assessments which stand against it. On motion of Comrade 
Chase. Comrade Allen was authorized to receive subscriptions in the nature 
of a loan, to be repaid when the lot was sold, for the purpose of meeting the 
estate's indebtedness, which amount, so far as known, to not less than $500. 
The Committee on Headstones asked for and were granted further time. 
Thereupon the meeting adjourned. 

The sixth annual meeting of the association was held at Battery "D" 
Armory, October 1, 1890. 

There were present at this meeting: Ed. Baggot, E. 1). Clark, James 
Phillips, Charles E. Clark. Win. H. Young. George King. Moses Hawks. 
E. P. Tobey, Mac. Slosser, H. YV. Chase. F. S. Allen, Win. Lowe, P. P. 
Powell, Enoch Colby, and C. B. Kimbell. The minutes of the last regular 
and all special meetings were read and approved. 
Treasurer H. \Y. Chase reported: 

Receipts on account of last reunion $149.98 

Payments on account of same as per voucher submitted 1 17.50 

Leaving balance on hand $32.48 

Which report was approved and ordered on file. Comrade Allen made 
a verbal report regarding the Jacobs lot. Comrades Ed. Baggot, H. W. 
Chase and C. B. Kimbell had each responded with $50, under resolution of 
May 21. The election of officers for the ensuing year was discussed, and. 
on motion of Comrade Colby, Comrade Tobey was authorized to cast one 
ballot for the present officers of the association. It was done, and Comrade 
Tobey announced their election in due form. The death of Comrade John 
J. Redmond, on June 8, 1890, was announced, and a Committee on Resolu- 
tions on his death was appointed, consisting of Comrades C. B. Kimbell, 
Enoch Colby and W. L. Southworth. The meeting then adjourned, a large 
number of the members accepting the invitation of Comrade Baggot to 
proceed to the Wellington Hotel, where oysters, etc., were "set up" in gen- 
erous style. The officers as re-elected for 1890191 were : President. Ed. Bag- 
got; Vice Presidents, in order named, J. H. Long, W. E. Stockton. John 
Steele, Olof Benson, James Phillips, C. L. Arnold: Secretary, C. B. Kimbell; 



292 



HISTORY OF BATTERY ''A." 



Recording Secretary, F. V. Gindele; Treasurer, H. W. Chase; Sergeant-at- 
Arms, E. D. Clark; Musical Director, E. H. Rexford. 

Seventh annual reunion, October 7, 1891. 

The members met at Battery "D" Armory, at 10 o'clock a. m. The. 
time was spent until noon in hearty greetings, talking and lunching, coffee, 
sandwiches, biscuits and doughnuts having been liberally provided, and the 
boys demonstrated that their joviality and appetites were as lively and vig- 
orous as during the times of war. At noon they formed into line and 
marched to the Lake Front, where, with many other veteran' organizations, 
all formed into column and marched to Lincoln Park, to take part in the un- 
veiling of the Grant monument. An immense concourse of people was 
present. Our company had a fine position during the ceremonies, close to 
the monument. After the unveiling ceremonies, the members assembled 
at the Germania Mannerchor Club rooms, where Comrade Baggot had ar- 
ranged for our entertainment. There were present during the day and 
evening, Comrades : 



F. W. Young. 
A. V. Pitts. 
W. R. Page. 
Henry Burdick. 
M. X. Kimbell, Sr. 

F. S. Allen. 
J. H. Long. 
John B. Day. 
E. Colby, Jr. 
Mac. Slosser. 
John 1). Dyer, 
Ed. S. Hills. 

G. M. Brown. 
W. H. Lepperr. 



E. P. Tobey. 
John Schaffer. 
Flarry Morgan. 
Chas. E. Clark. 
P. P. Powell. 
W. H. Young. 
E. D. Clark. 
J. S. Anderson. 
Thos. Wilcox. 
Jas. Phillips. 
T. S. Clarkson. 
John Steele. 
Will Lowe. 



W. E. Stockton. 
Olof Benson. 
C. L. Arnold. 
W. H. Johnson. 
J. W. Kimbell. 
S. S. Kimbell. 
S. G. Williams. 
H. W. Chase. 
Ed Hughes. 
C. W. Poole. 
J. R. Irwin. 
E. D. Clark. 
C. B. Kimbell. 



E. H. Rexford. 

After roll-call the minutes of last meeting were read and approved. 
Resolutions were read and adopted on the death of Comrades John J. Red- 
mond and Lewis F. Jacobs. Comrade Redmond died at Chicago. June 8, 
1890, and was buried at Calvary. Comrade Jacobs died in hospital at Chi- 
cago, Oct. 21. 18S9, and was buried in the battery lot at Rose Hill. Both 
funerals were well attended by comrades of the battery. 

Comrade Stockton was appointed a committee of one to obtain, if pos- 
sible, of Mr. Larrabee and others, such original documents of Captain 



1H STORY OF BATTERY -A " 293 



Wood's as they might have in their possession, for the purpose of getting 
them in our records and incur]. orating such as would be valuable in the his- 
tory of the battery. It was decided to postpone the reunion for 1893, during 
the World's Fair. The election of officers was held, resulting as follows: For 
President. J. Henry Long; Vice Presidents, in the order named, W. E. 
Stockton, A. V. Pitts, Wm. Lowe, Henry Morgan. C. L. Arnold and J. \Y. 
Kimbell; Secretary. C. B. Kimbell; Recording Secretary, W. L. South- 
worth: Treasurer, 11. \\ . Chase; Sergeant-at-Arms, C. W. Poole; Musical 
Director. E. H. Rexford. The thanks of the association were tendered to 
President Baggct and Secretary Kimbell for their services to the associa- 
tion during their terms of office. The banquet which followed the business 
meeting was attended by a number of the comrades, wives, sons and daugh- 
ters, and a very pleasant occasion was enjoyed by all. The banquet was fol- 
lowed by reading letters and regrets from absent comrades. Comrade Far- 
son Risley's letter from Seattle was so characteristic that it is given in full, 
and we have no doubt all the boys will enjoy reading a communication direct 
from the "( )ld Parson." 

"Seattle, Washington, July 17. 1893. 
"C. B. Kimbell. Secretary Battery 'A' C. L. A. Vet. Assn.: 

"Dear Comrade: Your very kind invitation to the grand reunion of 
the old Battery 'A' is received, and in reply would say that I deeply regret 
my inability to be present on that occasion, but in heart and hand I am always 
with you. I am at the present writing enjoying the delightful climate and 
scenery of Puget Sound, in the city of Seattle, where 1 have been for the 
last four years, having as good a time as possible so far away from old com- 
rades, friends and associates. 

"Say to the girls and boys of Battery 'A' that '< >ld Parson' is still on 
deck, and often, while in company with Jack Rumsey, we talk over those 
pleasant recollections of bygone daws. Jack and myself are in all probability 
farther away from that beautiful city of Chicago than any other members of 
Battery 'A,' still our love for her and her kind-hearted and patriotic citizens 
that were so generous to us in those dark days, grows no less. \\ e still cling 
to her and her good people, as we do to our country and the dear old flag. 

"Seattle, the queen city of the Sound, is well stocked with all kinds of 
choicest fruits and berries of the season, while the shores of her lovely bays 
are filled with delicious clams, and her waters, with all kinds of salt water 
fish, the mountain streams alive with trout, all of which afford abundance of 
sport for the angler these delightful summer days. 

"Still hack and myself have been sitting down so long waiting for 



294 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

'suckers' that we will soon need re-enforcements to make us presentable to 
our families. It recalls to memory a scene in '61, way down in Egypt, when 
Lou Mitchell was crucified for being in camp with a whole pair of pants. But 
such is life in the wild and woolly West. 

"Mrs. Risley wishes to be kindly remembered to all the girls of Bat- 
tery 'A,' especially to Mrs. Spencer Kimbell, Mrs. Chase and others. 

"Wishing you all a good time and a full house, and my kind regards to 
all the girls and boys, is the prayer of the only private on the Sound. Yours 
fraternally, H. B. Risley." 

Comrade Rexford gave all the bugle calls, which were enthusiastically 
received by the boys. Short speeches were made by Comrades Clarkson, 
Day, Rexford and others, and at 8:30 p. m. the meeting adjourned. 

June 4, J 892, a meeting of the association was held at the office of Com- 
rade J. H. Long, for the purpose of incorporating the association under the 
State law. Comrades present at this meeting were J. H. Long, H. W. Chase, 
A. W. Gray, Mac. Slosser, F. S. Allen, Harry Morgan, E. D. Clark, C. L. 
Arnold, C. B. Kimbell, P. P. Powell and James Phillips. It was decided 
that we should incorporate, and Comrades J. H. Long, H. W. Chase, C. B. 
Kimbell, C. L. Arnold and Harry Morgan were instructed to procure the 
necessary papers from the Secretary of State, and they were appointed as a 
Board of Directors, to serve for the first year. The Constitution and By- 
Laws adopted were as follows: 

ARTICLE I. 

This organization shall be known as "The Battery 'A,' Chicago Light 
Artillery, Association." 

ARTICLE II. 

The object of this association is to preserve and strengthen those kind 
and fraternal feelings, which bound together the members of old Battery "A," 
who united to assist in suppressing the late rebellion, and to perpetuate the 
history of the battery and the memory of its noble dead. 

ARTICLE III. 

Section 1. Regular meetings of this association shall be held annually t 
on the call of the President. 

Sec. 2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, or he 
shall call such meeting upon the written application of five members. 

Sec. 3. Nine members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction 
of business. 



HIS TOR \ ' OF BA TTER Y ' l A ." 295 

ARTICLE IV. 

Any member of the late Battery "A." First Illinois Artillery, shall he 
eligible to membership upon signing the Constitution. 

ARTICLE V. 

Section i. The affairs of this association shall be under the manage- 
ment of five directors, to be elected by ballot, at the annual meeting of the 
members of the association. 

Sec. 2. The directors shall choose from their own number a President, 
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and they shall hold their respective 
offices for the period of one year next following their election, and until their 
successors shall lie elected and qualified. 

Sec. 3. Vacancies in the offices of the association or Hoard of Di- 
rectors may be filled for the unexpired term at any regular or special meet- 
ing of the Board of Directors. 

Sec. 4. The Hoard of Directors may require from the several officers, 
from time to time, such bond as in their discretion they shall deem best for 
the faithful performance of their respective duties of said offices. 

ARTICLE VI. 

Section i. The President shall preside at all meetings of the association. 

Sec. 2. r fhe Vice President shall perform such duties as may he required 
of him by the President, and in his absence shall take his place. 

Sec. 3. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Directors and 
keep a record of the proceedings of said meetings. He shall keep, or cause 
to be kept, proper hooks of account of the association. He shall have cus- 
tody of all books, documents and papers of said association, and its corporate 
seal. He shall annually furnish a detailed statement of the receipts and ex- 
penditures of the association. 

Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall keep all moneys of the association, and 
shall disburse the same on the order of the I 'resident, countersigned In- the 
Secretary. 

Sec. 5. All bonds, contracts and other instruments to he made on behalf 
of the association shall be executed by the President and Secretary, after 
having been approved by the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE VII. 

This association will be sustained by the voluntary subscriptions of its 

members. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

This Constitution shall be amended only at an annual meeting, by a 
majority present. 



296 HISTORY OF BATT&XY "/4." 

( >RDER ( )F BUSINESS. 

i. Association called to order by the President. 

2. Roll of officers and members called by the Secretary. 

3. Reading" of journal of last regular and special meeting. 

4. Report of Treasurer and Executive Committee. 

5. Reading miscellaneous communications. 

6. Unfinished and new business. 

7. Balloting for officers. 

The license for incorporation which was granted reads: 

"State of Illinois, Department of State, 
"Isaac N. Pearson, Secretary of State. 
"To All Whom These Presents Shall Come — Greeting: 

"Whereas. A certificate, duly signed and acknowledged, having been 
filed in the office of the Secretary of State, on the 7th day of June, A. D. 
1892, for the organization of the Battery 'A,' Chicago Light Artillery, Asso- 
ciation, under and in accordance with the provisions of 'An Act concerning 
corporations, approved April 18, 1872, and in force July 1, 1872, and all acts 
amendatory thereof, a copy of which certificate is hereto attached. Now, 
therefore, I, Isaac N. Pearson, Secretary of State of Illinois, by virtue of the 
powers and duties vested in me by law. do hereby certify that the said Bat- 
tery 'A,' Chicago Light Artillery, Association, is a legally organized corpora- 
tion under the laws of the State of Illinois. In testimony whereof I hereto 
set my hand and cause to be affixed the great Seal of State. 

Done at the city of Springfield, this 7th day of June, in the year of our 
Lord 1892, and of the Independence of the United States the 11 6th. 

"Seal. Isaac N. Pearson, Secretarv of State." 

June 20 following the Board of Directors met at the office of Comrade 
J. H. Long. There were present Comrades J. H. Long, H. W. Chase and 
C. B. Kimbell. Comrade Frank S. Allen was also present unofficially. An 
election of officers to serve for one year was held. J. H. Long was elected 
President; C. L. Arnold. Vice President; C. B. Kimbell, Secretary; H. \Y. 
Chase, Treasurer. Comrade Allen made a verbal statement regarding the 
condition of the Jacobs lot matter, he being the executor of the estate. It was 
decided by the Hoard that if an advantageous offer for the purchase of the 
lot could be obtained, it would be for the best interests of the association to 
sell it. and with the proceeds pay off the debts against the Jacobs estate and 
have the balance for a fund to keep the battery cemetery lot at Rose Hill in 
proper condition, procure headstones for comrades buried on the lot, and 
for such uses as the association should deem best. 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "4." 



297 



The eighth annual reunion of the association was held during the 
World's Fair, Sept. o 1893, at the Sheridan Club House, in Chicago. The 
Executive Committee having the arrangements for this meeting in charge 
were: I. II. Long. II. \Y. Chase. C. L. Arnold, Harry Morgan and C. B. 
Kimbell. The last circular letter issued by the committee to the members, 
setting the date for the meeting, was Aug. 18, [893, at which time all the 
members of the committee were in their usual health and vigor. Before the 
date of the reunion Comrades Chase and Morgan were called suddenly to 
their final rest. Their sudden taking off cast a gloom over the boys, and all 
realized more than ever before that we were rapidly nearing the end of our 
earthlv career. Members in attendance as registered were: 



Edgar P. Tobey. 
Enoch Colby, Jr: 
J. H. Long. 
E. D. Clark. 
John Steele. 
G. M. Scott. 
Ed. Baggot. 
Chas. C. Briggs. 
E. II. Rexford. 
A. W. Cray. 
C. Ik Kimbell. 
J. W. Kimbell. 
Ed S. Hills. 
Henrv Burdick. 



1'. P. Powell. 
John T. Connell. 
Win. E. Stockton. 
John Schaffer. 
F. M. Kantzler. 
Win. H. Young. 
S. S. Kimbell. 
M. A. Bartelson. 
Albert Dixson. 
Moses Hawks. 
Sam. M. Fargo. 
C. W. Poole. 
Ed. Mendsen. 
John L. Haslett. 



Fred. B. Leavitt. 
( ). C. Foster. 
M. X. Kimbell, Sr. 
Will Lowe. 
W. H. Renfro. 
Olof Benson. 
G. M. Brown. 
Win. L. Southworth. 
Frank S. Allen. 
Tlios. Powell. 
Thad. S. Clarkson. 
Mac. Slosser. 
Chas. A. Lamb. 



President J. H. Long presided. Many of the members were accom- 
panied by their wives, sons and daughters. The rooms were patriotically 
decorated with Mags and bunting, and at 9 a. m. were opened for the recep- 
tion of the company. Before noon nearly every member had arrived. Until 
2:30 p. m., when the company adjourned to the banquet hall, the time was 
spent in greetings and sociability. A sumptuous banquet excellently served 
was enjoyed by all. After the banquet followed the reading of letters of re- 
gret from absent comrades. Those who had responded were: Wm. ( ). Rice, 
John B. Day, Parson Risley, Ed. E. Williams, Wm. H. Cowlin, Nathan T. 
Cox, Charles E. Smith, E. V. Fish, Clarence L. Church, Sam. Kennedy. J. 
M. Dusenberry, Ik Burdick, J. F. Dunlap, J. S. Anderson, Harry Roberts, 
and J. X'. Sherman. After the banquet the comrades and their gtiests re- 
paired to the Assembly Hall, where the business meeting was held. The 



298 HISTORY OF BATTERY ''A." 

Secretary called the roll of the entire battery. The minutes of the last meet- 
ing were read and approved. The Secretary, in the absence of Treasurer 
Comrade Chase, who died so recently, made a verbal statement of the finan- 
cial condition of the association, which was approved. The Committee on 
Resolutions, through Comrade \Y. E. Stockton, reported and read the fol- 
lowing resolutions, which were adopted by a rising vote: 

"Comrades: Since our last meeting it has pleased Almighty God to re- 
lieve from their duties here, that they may enter upon their rest, our Com- 
rades and friends, George B. Beach, Laurin H. Beach, Caleb S. Birdsall, 
Horace W. Chase. James Phillips, Harry Morgan and Fred W. Young, ail 
well-known as tried and true comrades, soldiers and friends, never found 
wanting in the hour of peril and privation, and ever ready to brighten the 
lot of those around them by their kindly counsel and assistance. Therefore, 
we, their comrades, who are left to mourn their absence from their places 
here with us to-day, would offer the following as a slight token of our respect 
and love; be it 

"Resolved, That in the death of our comrades, Geo. B. Beach, Laurin H. 
Beach, Caleb S. Birdsall, Horace W. Chase, James Phillips, Harry Morgan 
and Fred W. Young, we bow to the will of Him who has led our friends 
safely through the hum of battle and privation, and who has brought them 
to the everlasting peace and rest of those who, knowing their duty, do not 
flinch from its performance. 'He doeth all things well.' 

"Resolved, That the memory of their gallant deeds and kindly actions 
can never be effaced from our hearts. 

"Resolved, That these resolutions be inscribed on the records of our 
association, that those who shall stand in our places may learn how they 
were mourned and loved by those who knew them well and found them true. 
And be it further 

"Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be suitably prepared and 
sent to the families or sorrowing friends of the deceased." 

Next in order was the nomination and election of officers. A Board 
of Directors was elected, consisting of Comrades Wm. E. Stockton, Spencer 
S. Kimbell, Charles B. Kimbell, Edward Baggot and E. H. Rexford. There 
being no further unfinished or new business the meeting resolved itself into 
an informal gathering, various members making interesting short talks. 
Major T. S. Clarkson made a particularly happy and interesting speech. All 
the bugle calls were given by Comrade Rexford, each call bringing out 
rousing cheers from the boys as the old familiar notes brought back the 
memories of bygone days. Comrade Rexford also furnished sentimental 



HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 301 

and patriotic music, ably assisted by his daughter Laura, with the violin, in 
tine, artistic style. Prof. Burmeister, of the First Nebraska, the support of 
our battery at Fort Donelson. gave a fine recitation. After all joined in 
singing "America." the reunion adjourned. Immediately after adjournment 
a meeting of the newly-elected Hoard of Directors was held; E. II. Rexford 
was chosen Chairman and C. B. Kimbell Secretary. The election for officers 
resulted in choosing: President. Wm, E. Stockton; Vice President. S. S. 
Kimbell; Secretary, C. B. Kimbell; Treasurer. Ed. Baggot; Musical Di- 
rector, E. H. Rexford. 

A photographer was on hand and a very fine group of the members 
was taken. Copies were sent to many of the nonresident comrades. ' hie 
sent to Mrs. Charles A. Lamb, whose husband was present and only sur- 
vived two weeks after the reunion, brought forth the following grateful ac- 
knowledgment. 

"404 Cass Street, Albion, Mich., Dec. 12, 1893. 
"C. B. Kimbell. Secretary: 

"Dear Sir: The photograph of group is received. Many thanks for 
your kindness in mailing it to me. It is a very fine group, indeed, and I 
shall prize it highly, both on account of the picture of my beloved husband 
and of the comrades he loved to mention so often. I am very proud of it, as 
Mr. Lamb would have been could he have lived to see it, and show it to his 
friends. With kind regards to all the comrades, I am, very truly yours, 

"Mrs. Charles A. Lamb." 

"The Timberman." the lumber trade journal of Chicago, of date of 
Sept. 9, 1893, the day of our eighth reunion, contained a very eulogistic 
article on the life of Comrade Horace W. Chase, who was an old and hon- 
ored member of the lumber trade of the city. 

The ninth annual reunion was held Sept. 7, i8(j5, at the home of Com- 
rade S. S. Kimbell, 1527 Kimbell avenue, Chicago. Members in attendance 
as registered were: W. IP Bailey, Edward Johnson. Charles E. Clark. C. B. 
Kimbell, S. S. Kimbell, George M. Brown, W. H. Renfro, George M. Scott. 
P. P. Powell, C. L. Arnold. John Schaffer, W. L. Sonthworth. J. D. Dyer. 
C. W. Poole. S. X. Pease. J. W. Kimbell. E. H. Rexford, Henry Burdick, 
Edward Baggot. A. \Y. Gray, W. E. Stockton. E. P. Fish, Moses Hawks, 
E. Colby. Jr.. Olof Benson, Ed. Mendsen, J. H. Long. Comrade A. C. 
Waterhouse, of Waterhouse's Battery, made a short call, which was en- 
tirelv unexpected and very much enjoyed. 



302 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 



A large number of the wives, sons and daughters of members were 
present, also many of our deceased members' near relatives. A season of 
sociability, music, etc.. was enjoyed, and at i o'clock the tables, set in form 
of a letter "A," under a spacious tent on the lawn, and well rilled with sub- 
stantial and tempting viands, were filled, and an hour spent in disposing of 
them. The business meeting then opened. President Comrade Stockton 
presiding. 

The roll of the entire battery was then called, after which the minutes 
of the last meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer's report was 
next read and approved and ordered placed on file. Letters of regret were 
read from absent comrades, followed by a bugle solo. "The Soldier's Fare- 
well," by Comrade Rexford. 

Resolutions on the death of comrades passing away since our last re- 
union, also on the death of Martin X. Kimbell, Sr.. were read by Comrade 
Stockton, and passed by a rising vote. The resolutions were as follows: 

•'Comrades, since our last meeting the following comrades have en- 
tered into their rest: Charles A. Lamb, Edgar P. Tobey, Edgar D. Clark, 
Aurelius V. Pitts, Silas G. Williams, M. W. Axtell. 

"Those of us who knew these comrades intimately, who stood beside 
them in battle, who endured with them the trials and privations of the long 
and wearv marches, and the monotony of camp life away from home andlts 
attractions, learned to feel a bond that endeared them as brothers, and which 
we doubt is felt or sustained in any other path of life, and its full signifi- 
cance is known to us, when their names are called on this, their last roll call. 
and we know we shall see them and hear their voices no more until we. too, 
shall enter into the future life; therefore, be it 

"Resolved. That in the loss to us of these comrades who have passed 
from this life since our last meeting, we feel that bereavement which comes 
to them who lose from their lives those who stood tried and true in the 
hour of danger, and in whose pleasant friendship the care and trials of a 
soldier's life were made bright and endurable, and we feel their loss all the 
more as our roll call grows shorter, for we know that their places can never 
again be filled in our hearts. And be it 

"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the minutes of this 
meeting, and suitably engrossed copies be sent to the families of each de- 
parted comrade by the Secretary." 

"Since our last meeting we are called upon to mourn the loss of one who. 
while known as an associated member of Battery "A" on our records, was 
recognized and loved bv everv member of our organization as Patterv "A's" 



HISTORY OF BATTERY -A." 303 



lather. I allude to our dear friend, Martin N. Kimbell, Sr. He gave his 
brave boys to help till our ranks, and, not satisfied with that, his great heart 
overflowing with patriotism and love for Battery "A" brought him to our 
camp again and again, always with the same bright presence, always brave 
and helpful, believing in the justice and success of our cause as he believed 
in his God; such a man was an inspiration to every soldier who 
was honored by his friendship. We speak of the spirit of 1776, and 
we understand the devotion of those trying days, and so we would speak of 
Father Kimbell as the spirit of Battery "A." He was fearless in the hour of 
danger, tender and true to comrades always. In testimony of our love and 
regard, we offer the following: 

"Be it resolved, That in the departure of our good friend. Martin X. 
Kimbell, Sr., this association has lost one who at all times has held our Bat- 
tery 'A' close to his heart, giving his sons to fill its ranks. He gave his 
heart and all that went with it to comfort and sustain its members and to 
instill in their minds a sense of patriotism and duty. We can never repay 
his kindness, but we will love and keep green his memory. He has passed 
away full of years and honors, living to see the consummation of his dearest 
hope in the wonderful growth of a reunited country. And, in the love and 
regard of every soldier, and of every one who knew him, reaping his well- 
won reward. As long as a name is answered to our roll call, so long will his 
good life and kind deeds be remembered by Battery 'A.' Be it 

"Resolved, That our Secretary be instructed to send to each member 
of Mr. Kimbell's family a copy of these resolutions." 

After the reading of the resolutions, "Home. Sweet Home"" was beau- 
tifully rendered on the cornet by Comrade Rexford. 

The election of Directors followed. Five Directors were nominated 
and unanimously elected by ballot cast by the Secretary as follows: S. S. 
Kimbell, George M. Scott, Edward Baggot, C. B. Kimbell and E. H. Rex- 
ford. 

The Directors imediately met and elected officers for the ensuing year 
as follows: S. S. Kimbell, President: George M. Scott, Nice President; Ed- 
ward Baggot, Treasurer; C. B. Kimbell, Secretary; E. H. Rexford. Musical 
Director; Miss Laura Rexford, Assistant Musical Director. 

A vote of thanks was passed to the Kimbell family for their part of the 
entertainment. Two national salutes were fired by Comrade S. M. Tyrrell 
with Comrade Baggot's gun, which were vigorously cheered by the com- 
rades, and created havoc with horses in the neighborhood. 

After singing and music, the meeting adjourned subject to the call of 
the officers. 



304 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

The tenth annual reunion of the association was held Sept. 5, 1896, at 
the residence of S. S. Kimbell, 1527 Kimbell avenue, Chicago. The meet- 
ing was in the form of a basket picnic. Twenty-nine members were pres- 
ent, many of them with their wives, sons and daughters. The near relatives 
of several of our deceased comrades were present, making a total of about 
200 in attendance. The day was all that could be asked for, and it was 
greatlv enjoyed by all. Tables were spread under spacious tents on the 
lawn. The boys were mostly on hand at 10 o'clock, and spent the time till 
noon in greetings and general sociability. At 12 o'clock dinner was an- 
nounced. All fell in with all the ardor of old war tines, and ample justice 
was done to the meal. After dinner the meeting was called to order by 
Comrade President S. S. Kimbell. The roll of the entire battery was called 
by Secretarv C. B. Kimbell, followed by reading the journal of the last an- 
nual meeting. The reports of the Treasurer and of the Executive Committee 
were also read, and all were approved and ordered placed on file. 

The annual report of the officers of the association for 1895-6, as sub- 
mitted, was as follows: 

"We have great cause for thankfulness that since our last reunion on 
these grounds, September 7, 1895, we have held unbroken ranks. Not a 
single member of our association (so far as we know) has crossed over the 
river of life. In view of the physical condition of many of us, and the ad- 
vancing years of all, this is a record which we could hardly hope to main- 
tain for any great length of time. We are pleased to report the financial 
affairs of our association in a comfortable condition. The first 
note in payment of the lot bequeathed to us by our late Comrade Ja- 
cobs was promptly paid with interest. Also interest on the two remaining 
notes, which notes we hold, and are due in one and two years, and are 
amply secured against any possible depreciation. The payment of this 
note has enabled us to pay all the bequests of Comrade Jacobs, so far as we 
have been able to find the beneficiaries, and to liquidate all of the debts in- 
curred by the association in carrying the lot until sold, and the interest on 
the remainder of the fund is ample to meet our current expenses, which are 
not large, and probably leave a small amount which can be placed in a 
sinking fund to meet any future emergencies of the association. A few of 
our members met on Decoration Day at our monument in Rose Hill, and 
decorated the gun and the graves with flowers and flags. Members should 
make special efforts to gather there on that day, as other associations are 
doing so more generally each year, and we do not want to be behind our 
brother comrades in this respect. The large oak tree standing in the center 



HISTORY OF BATTERY ",/." *05 



of our lot was found to have several large decayed branches overhanging 
the monument, endangering it in case of their falling during a high wind. 
These 1 tranches have been removed, and the tall, straight trunk of the tree 
stands covered with vines, and is much improved in appearance, and is a 
very appropriate ornament to the last resting place of our departing com- 
rades. The Cemetery Association has been communicated with regarding 
terms for the "perpetual care" of our lot. In reply the following was re- 
ceived : 

"( !hicag< i. Sept. 1 . [8< 16. 
"C. B. Kimbell, City: 

"Dear Sir: Our greenhouse manager informs us that a principal sum 
of $200 would he needed for tlie proper care of the Battery "A." Chicago 
Light Artillery. Association lots tone to six. section A). The lots need 
grading, hut if the sum named is deposited this fall, we will do that without 
any extra charge. The trimming of the tree yon called attention to has 
been done, for which there will he no charge. The sum named cares for and 
preserves the lot and memorials forever. Yours truly, 

"Eugene C. Long. Secretary." 

We would recommend that favorable action he taken by the association 
on this proposition whenever our finances will warrant it. We have been 
placed in possession of a ven valuable relic of the early days of the old bat- 
tery through the kindness of Comrade Southworth, which is the first record 
of the battery organization before the war. from Dec. 2. [857, to Aug. 7. [863. 
If the full history of our battery is ever published this will hi' a verv appro- 
priate and useful starter for it. 

Notices and invitations of this meeting were fairly well responded to, 
and regrets were received from twenty-eight members. The national en- 
campment of the G. A. R. closed its session at St. Paul yesterday. A number 
of our comrades were prevented from being present here to-dav on account 
oi attendance there, but we have great consolation therefor in learning 
from the dispatches that our loved and respected comrade. Thaddeus S. 
Clarkson, was unanimously elected to the high office of Commander-in- 
Chief of that grand and noble organization, a tit recognition of his long, 
faithful and valuable services to it, and of which we may all well be proud." 

Letters of regret were read from absent comrades. New business being 
next announced, it was resolved to send a telegram to Comrade T. S. 
Clarkson, congratulating him on his election to the office of Commander- 
in-Chief of the G. A. R. at the national encampment then in session at St. 
Paul. The following dispatch was forwarded and reply returned: 



306 HIS TOR } ' OF BA TTER Y "A. 



"Chicago, Sept. 5. 1896. 
"Major T. S. Clarkson, Commander-in-Chief G. A. R., ( )maha. Neb.: 

"Your original comrades, in animal reunion assembled, are proud of 
the honor and distinction of furnishing from our ranks the highest officer 
for the grandest soldier organization on earth. We know the honor so 
worthily bestowed will be faithfully and creditably executed. 

"Battery 'A.' Chicago Light Artillery, Veteran Association, 

"C. B. Kimbell, Secretary." 

"Headquarters ( band Army of the Republic, 
"Office of the Commander-in-Chief, 

"Omaha. Neb., Sept. 18, 1896. 
"C. B. Kimbell, Secretary: 

"The message of congratulation from Battery 'A' Veteran Association 
conveyed to me by you has touched me beyond expression. No word re- 
ceived has meant so much to me, or touched me so deeply, as that coming 
from the grand men with whom I immediately touched elbows during that 
awful struggle. Three members of Batten- 'A' were present at St. Paul, and 
participated in the great honor conferred upon me, and I believe that honor 
carried no greater satisfaction to any of the thousands present than to those 
splendid fellows, Page, Gray and Sam. Tallmadge. Please convev to the 
'boys' my hearty thanks and my best wishes for their success, and my sin- 
cere hope that I shall meet them personally at an earlv official visit to Chi- 
cago. Very truly yours, T. S. Clarkson, Commander-in-Chief." 

The election of officers of the association then followed, resulting in the 
election of: Comrade Martin A. Bartleson, President; Dr. Allen W. Gray, 
Vice President; C. P. Kimbell, Secretary; J. H. Long, Treasurer; E. H. 
Rexford, Musical Director. These five comrades also constitute the di- 
rector). A tine musical program was rendered by Comrade Rexford, as- 
sisted by his daughter Laura, Miss Sarah M. Kimbell, daughter of C. B. 
Kimbell; and Mrs. Pratt, sister ol" Enoch Colby, interspersed with songs, 
less classical but full)" as musical to the old boys, by the boys themselves. A 
photographer was present and took pictures of a group of the bovs on the 
porch and lawn, and one of the boys and their families. The meeting then 
adjourned subject to the call of the officers. 

The eleventh annual reunion occurred at the Union League Club, Chi- 
cago, ( )ct. 1, 1897, beginning at 5 p. m. Lunch was served at 6 p. m., after 
which the business meeting was held. Twenty-nine members were present, 
viz.. J. II. Pong, A. W. Gray, Ed. Baggot, C. B. Kimbell. S. S. Kimbell, 



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HIS TOR Y OF B IT TER Y "A." 309 



George M. Brown, \Y. II. Young, \Y. II. Bailey, A. \Y. Pendleton, Har- 
rison Kelley, Enoch Colby Jr, W. L. Southworth, Henry Burdick, Fred B. 
Leavitt, W. E. Stockton, W. II. Renfro, W. E. Beecham, Charles E. Clark, 
VV. R. Page, I'. I'. Powell, Ed. Mendsen, John Steele W'm. Lowe. C. \Y. 
Poole. < ). C. Foster, F. Y. Gindele, John 1). Dyer, E. II. Rexford and W. II. 
Johnson. President Comrade Bartleson being absent on account of a 
serious accident, Comrade A. VV. Gray, Vice President, presided. The roll 
of all members was called l>_v the Secretary. The minutes of the last annual 
meeting were read and approved, as were also the reports of the Treasurer 
and Directors. Cards of regret were read from W. II. Cowlin, of Wood- 
stock, "prevented by sickness;" T. S. Clarkson, < hnaha, "prevented by offi- 
cial business;" C. L. Church, Wellington. ( )hio, "kind remembrances;" Ed- 
ward Johnson, National Soldiers' Home, Leavenworth, "best wishes;" J. 
I'. Brown, Florin, Cak, "too much labor;" Moses Hawks, Phenix, X. Y., 
"poor health:" M. A. Bartleson, Utica, X. Y., "injury from accident;" E. S. 
Hills, Atlanta. Ga.; Win. Taylor, Chicago. Letters were read from C. C. 
Briggs. Pittsburg; S. H. Tallmadge, Milwaukee; Nathan T. Cox. Denver; 
M. A. Chittenden, Atchison, Kan.; C. L. Arnold. Chicago; George A. Pratt. 
IT. Atkinson. Wis.; W. Ik Phillips, Marion, Ohio; Ed E. Williams. \ew 
York; E. I'. Fish, Pueblo, Colo.; Wm. Furness, ( >gdensburg, X. Y.; F. A. 
Emory! Magnolia, Va.;J. T. Connell, Grand Island, Neb.; J. X. Sherman, 
Soldiers' Home. Quincy, Ilk; John 1'.. Day, Bedford, X. Y.; II. E. Brewster, 
Marlboro, X. Ik; Meric Gould, Brest, Mich.; A. C. Hall, Des Moines. 
Iowa. A memorial on the death of Comrade Julius W. Kimbell was offered 
by Comrade \\ . E. Stockton and adopted unanimously by a rising vote. 
(The memorial is found in his biography.) 

( )fficers for the ensuing year were elected, with Dr. A. W. Gray, C. Ik 
Kimbell, C. W. Poole, J. IT Long and E. II. Rexford as Directors. The 
Directors met and elected: A. W. Gray, President; C. W. Poole. Vice Presi- 
dent; J. II. Long, Treasurer; C. Ik Kimbell, Secretan : E. II. Rexford, Mu- 
sical Director. The bugle calls were given by Comrade Rexford, with all 
his usual vigor and old-time skill. Excellenl music was furnished by Miss 
Laura Rexford and Miss Bacon. The meeting then adjourned for one year. 

The twelfth reunion was held in Hinsdale, a beautiful suburb of Chi- 
cago, at the home of C. Ik Kimbell, Sept. 10. 1898. The Hinsdale Doings, 
the local paper, published an account of it, which is given in full below: 



3 1 HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A. 



VETERANS GATHERED AGAIX. 



Battery "A" Remembers the Battles of 1861-5 at C. B. Kimbell's. — Magnifi- 
cent Entertainment Enjoyed by the Soldiers and Their Families — Spe- 
cial Cars Provided — The Fun. 



Probably no other village in this State was so aglow with evidences of 
earnest patriotism last Saturday as was Hinsdale. In addition to the royal 
reception accorded by the entire people of this vicinity, to the returning 
Naval Reserve Corps, the surviving veterans of the famous Battery "A," 
Chicago Light Artillery, of 1861 to 1865, held their twelfth annual reunion, 
with their wives and families, at the pleasant home of C. B. Kimbell, who, 
with two brothers, were members of that battery during the civil war. Up- 
wards of one hundred and fifty were present, among them being several of 
deceased members' families, and a livelier, pleasanter time could not have 
been had. The commodious grounds and all the buildings were profusely 
and tastefully decorated with flags and bunting. An immense flag was hung 
across Elm street, in front of the house, and a large white banner was 
stretched over the front of the lawn with a red border and blue letters, in- 
scribed, "Welcome Battery 'A' Veterans." An immense tent on the lawn 
covered tables fifty-four feet long, set to form the letter "A." These were 
loaded with toothsome viands, to which all did ample justice, as the cool, 
crisp air was very conducive to a keen appetite, and the "old boys'' demon- 
strated their ability in that direction as well as when they were thirty-seven 
years younger and had better teeth than they now have. 

George Bohlander's orchestra perched up in the barn balconv, covered 
with woodbine and draped with bunting, furnished patriotic airs during the 
forenoon and until after dinner, when he was ordered by the young people 
to "come down off his perch" to the first floor, which had been covered with 
canvas and prepared for dancing, and they kept things lively and warm for 
about three hours. Many of the older ones declared they had not seen 
dancing "on the old barn floor" for forty years, and the seats were filled with 
amused spectators of the young folks' antics. 

From 12:30 to 1 :30 p. m. was occupied in disposing of the picnic dinner, 
which was announced by ringing the old farm bell, and the sounding of 
"Grub Call" by E. H. Rexford, the battery bugler, on his old war bugle. All 
the old battery calls were blown by him, at intervals during the day, and the 
stirring notes awakened memories of war days in the hearts of the old vet- 
erans. After dinner the business meeting of the veterans' association was 
held under the tent, all remaining seated at the tables. The first thing after 
being called to order. Comrade W. E. Stockton offered a resolution, ex- 



HJSTOR \ ' OF BA TTER J ' - A . " Ml 



tending greetings and congratulations to the young soldiers of the Naval 
Reserve Corps on their safe return home, and thanking them for the splen- 
did record they had made during their short term of service. In acknowl- 
edgment of the courtesy the entire procession, with their martial hand of 
eighteen pieces, paraded past the grounds, halting for fifteen minutes in 
front. The veterans lined up on the pavement and their families formed a 
background on the grass plat and sidewalk. The scene was very effective 
and touching. President Dr. A. W. Gray, in behalf of the veterans, made a 
short and stirring address of welcome to the naval boys, who were seated in 
carriages directly in front of the veterans. The hand played "America" and 
the "Star Spangled Banner," and all joined in singing one verse of "Amer- 
ica," when the whole procession passed on amid cheers in review of the 
battery veterans. 

The whole affair was a pleasant and unexpected feature, and one never 
to be forgotten. The roll of the entire battery was called, first of the sur- 
vivors, then of those who had passed away. The total number of enlistments 
from the beginning to the closing of the war. including fifty that served for 
three months only, was 262. Survivors known at this date, 115. Killed, 
dead and missing, 147. Many that served three months only in this battery, 
served with distinction in other commands through the war. Most of the 
members of the battery have made as good records in their various lines 
since the war as they did during the war. and have been prominent in busi- 
ness, professional and political circles. Ex-Congressman George E. Adams, 
of Chicago; Genera] Thad. S. Clarkson, ex-postmaster of Omaha and Past 
Commander-in-Chief of the < \. A. R., Col. j. IT Page, of the Third United 
States Infantry, now at Santiago, and mam' of the leading and successful 
business men of Chicago were members of this battery. Idle Directors' 
report showed the finances of the association to be in a flourishing condition. 
Permanent badges of a neat and tasty design had been procured and 
were worn for the first time on this occasion. 

ddie Directors' report, as follows, for 1897-8 was read and approved: 
"Since our last annual meeting, your Directors have had little to do except 
to carry out the instructions of the members at that meeting. A beautiful 
granite headstone in memory of Comrade Lewis F. Jacobs was erected on 
the battery lot at Rose Hill. It was inscribed with his name and "Noble 
Patriot, Brave Soldier, True Friend." We have also supplied the permanent 
badges, which we trust will be satisfactory, as they were to all with whom we 
had an opportunity of consulting. In the matter of government head-tones 
for those buried in our lot. little has been done, owing to difficulty in ob- 
taining definite, correct data in regard to the names and. number buried 
there. We would recommend that the new Board of Directors take the 
matter in hand and do the best they can during: the coming vear to sret it 



3 1 2 HIS TOR Y OF BA TTER Y "A." 

finished up. The final payment on the Lewis Jacobs lot has been made 
and the money is in the hands of the Treasurer. One of our members, 
George King, passed away at Elgin, 111., Thursday, July 14, 1898. Owing to 
the shortness of the time of receiving notice of it, none of our members were 
present." 

The following resolutions on the death of Comrade George King, who 
died in Elgin last July, and of honorary member John L. Stockton, who died 
in Chicago, were passed by a rising vote: 

"It is our sorrowful duty to announce the passing away of one of our 
loved and honorary members, John L. Stockton, brother of Comrade \\ ni. 
E. Stockton. His death occurred at his home in Chicago, Oct. 31, 1897. 
Of delicate physical frame, he was incapacitated from entering active service 
in the army, but his patriotism was proved beyond a question by his untiring 
zeal and devotion to the care and comfort of the soldiers in the field, espe- 
cially the sick and wounded of our battery. He was the most active in 
keeping up the home organization of our battery during the war, and none 
of our sick and wounded reached the city without being under his watchful 
care, and several times he visited us while in the field, bringing things of 
comfort and words of cheer. He was chiefly instrumental in securing the 
necessary funds for the erecting of our beautiful monument at Rose Hill, 
and was one of the most active and helpful members of the Monument Com- 
mittee. His memory will ever remain as bright with us as the flowers that 
blossom over his silent grave. 

"We are called upon to mourn the death of one whose name revives 
memories of all that went to make camp life more endurable and to brighten 
and cheer the hard lot of the soldier. 

"Comrade George King died at his home in Elgin on Thursday, July 
14 last ( 1898). 

"We knew him as a brave and gallant soldier, one of the most active 
and untiring men in the battery. Kind and generous to his comrades, and 
one of the most proficient in the drill, not only in the battery but in the 
'manual of arms,' probably, in the corps to which we were attached. Who 
does not remember how he won honor for the battery by defeating the best- 
drilled infantryman the division afforded? The following notice is taken 
from Comrade Wm. II. Cowlin's paper, and fitlv expresses what we all feel: 
''fhe death of an old comrade, even so many years after the war, who 
has touched elbows with us in the ranks, or who has marched or rode by our 
side over countless miles of country, being with us in battle and in camp, 
sharing" all the hardships and vicissitudes of war, cannot but help to carry 
sadness and sorrow, though we may not have met that old comrade since 
the close of the war. 



II is V( )R } ' OF B 4 TTER ) " " /. " 3l3 

"'The Elgin Courier of July 15, a marked copy of which we recently 
received, contained this announcement: 

George King died. Thursday evening, at his home. 323 Orange 

street, aged sixty-two years. J te was born at Niagara Falls, and had been a 
resident of this State thirty-six years, lie was formerly an employe of the 
gas company, and had recently been janitor of a school building." 

' 'Comrade King was an exceptionally good soldier, brave and true as 
steel. lie served three years in our company — A. Chicago Light Artillery — 
and was with our battery on all its long and weary marches, in every battle 
from its hrst. Fort Donelson and Shiloh, to Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., in the 
summer of [864, when his term of service expired. He marched thousands 
of miles and was carried by steamboat other thousands, participated in 
eighteen battles and dozens of skirmishes, always reach' and willing for any 
and every kind of hazardous and hard service, lie was admired for his 
soldierly hearing and kind and genial companionship by every officer and 
man in the battery. There was no better soldier — there could not he — hence 
we regret and are sad to hear that he has been summoned to join the silent 
majority, and our sympathies are extended to the sorrowing wife and family 
of our deceased comrade.' 

Letters and can Is of regret were read from absent members, their ad- 
dresses showing how widely they had separated since the war. They were 
from New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, ( ieorgia. 
Tennessee. Michigan, Illinois. Wisconsin. Kansas. Nebraska, Colorado, 
Washington, New Mexico. Iowa and California. 

The business meeting closed after electing as officers for the ensuing 
year: President, C. VV. Poole, of Lawndale; Vice President, W. II. Young; 
Treasurer, J. 11. Long, Chicago; Secretary. C. B. Kimbell, Hinsdale: Mu- 
sical Director. E. 11. Rexford, Blue Island. After an hour spent in five- 
minute entertaining talks by the members and a few invited guests, among 
whom was Mr. C. F. Elliott, came the contest and award of prizes. For the 
oldest member present, John Shaffer, of Chicago, aged 74. captured a silver 
mounted hickory cane, cut from the battlefield of Shiloh. The youngest 
member present, P. P. Powell, of Winfield, Kansas, took a silver-plated 
bugle, for the member present with the largest family. Mr. C. B. Kimbell 
showing up with eleven was awarded the first prize, which he at first de- 
clined to receive, being the host for the occasion, but his objections were 
overruled and he was forced to accept. The prize was a beautiful small silk 
flag, representing the "banner" family member. The member with the 
smallest family, George M. Brown, of Conneaut, Ohio, who is a happy old 



H4 HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." 

bachelor, captured a small steel toy cannon. The awarding of prizes occa- 
sioned much merriment. 

Fine music was rendered by some of the veterans' daughters, among 
them Miss Laura Rexford and Miss Sarah M. Kimbell. A hearty and 
unanimous vote of thanks was passed for the entire Kimbell family for their 
work and efforts in furnishing so successful an entertainment. The 5 o'clock 
train, with two special cars, carried the entire party back to the city, all de- 
claring they would ever remember the day spent in "beautiful Hinsdale." 

The battery veterans who were present were: Wm. E. Stockton, Ev- 
anston: Dr. A. W. Gray, Chicago; C. W. Poole. Lawndale; E. Colby Jr., 
Chicago.: W. H. Renfro, Blue Island; Wm. Lowe. Chicago; E. H. Rex- 
ford, Blue Island; G. M. Brown, Conneaut, Ohio; John Shaffer, Chicago; 
S. S. Kimbell, Chicago; W. E. Beecham, Chicago; Charles E. Clark. Chi- 
cago; Olof Benson, Chicago; W. L. Southworth, W. II. Young, Chicago; 
J. D. Dyer. Ravenswood; W. H. Bailey, Chicago; Edward Hughes, Chi- 
cago; P. P. Powell, Winfield, Kan.; H. S. Foote, Milwaukee; S. H. Tall- 
madge, Milwaukee; Ed. Mendsen, Evanston; Harrison Kelley. Chicago; 
George A. Pratt. Ft. Atkinson, Wis. 

The veteran guests were Rev. C. F. Elliott, cavalry; Abe Harris, Mer- 
cantile Battery; Ed. Simons. Mercantile Battery; A. H. Townsend, Hins- 
dale; Colonel W. B. Keeler; Henrv M. Matthews. Chicago. 




HISTORY OF BATTERY "A." H5 



HONORARY MEMBERS 

Of Battery "A" Chicago Light Artillery Veteran Association. 

M. N. Kimbell Sr., Maplewood, 111. Elected July 28, 1886; died Feb. 13, 1895 
John L. Stockton, Chicago, 111. . . .Elected July 28, 1886; died Oct. 31, 1897 

John Alston, Chicago, 111 Elected Oct. 4, 1887 

George Anderson, Chicago, 111. . . .Elected Oct. 4, 1887; died October, 1887 

M. N. Kimbell. Jr.. admitted Oct. 4, 1888. 

John F. Powell, Waukegan, admitted Oct. 4. 1888. 



SONS OF VETERANS 

Admitted to Membership. 

John Schaffer Jr., son of John Schaft'er, Chicago, admitted July 28, 1886. 
Ethan A. Gray, son of Allen W. Gray, Chicago, admitted July 28, 1886. 
George T. Phillips, son of Jas. Phillips, Chicago, admitted July 28, 1886. 
Jas. E. Baggot, son of Ed. Baggot, Chicago, admitted July 28, 1886. 
Richard L. Powell, son of Thos. Powell, Chicago, admitted July 28, 1886. 
Henry King, son of Geo. King, Elgin, 111., admitted October 4, 1887. 
Sherman T. Kimbell, son of C. B. Kimbell, admitted Oct. 4, 1887. 
Louis A. Gray, son of Allen AW Gray, Chicago, admitted Oct. 4, 1887. 
Walter K. Clark, son of E. D. Clark, admitted Aug. 26, 1889. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I 

PAGE 

History of early organization of the Battery 9 

Battery responds to President Lincoln's first call for troops 10 

Battery leaving Chicago for the front 13 

Roster of Company in three months' service 14 

Arrival of Battery at Cairo and occupation of the City Io 

Capture of steamer "Baltic," ' 'First shot of the war" 19 

Capture of steamer "C. E. Hillman" 19 

Occupation of "Camp Smith" 19 

Expedition to Mexico, Missouri 20 

Battery ' ' Home Association" organized 20 

Re-enlistment of Battery for three years 20 

Presentation of flag to Batten^ by Miss Katie Sturges 23 



CHAPTER II. 

Battery mustered into U. S. service 23 

Number of enlistments in Battery 23 

Roster of three years members of Battery 24 

Battery left Cairo and occupied Paducah, Ky 35 

Expedition making feint on Columbus, Ky 35 

"Calloway March" Expedition 36 

Raid on Mayfield, Ky 36 

First Deaths in Battery 36 

Incidents in camp at Paducah, Ky 36 

First regulation uniforms received 31 

316 



CHAPTER II.— Continued. 

PAGE 

1 )eparture from Paducah 37 

Capture of Fort Heiman 37 

March to Fort Donelson and first battle 58 

Chicago Board of Trade sends vote of thanks to Battery 30 

Left Fort Heiman for advance up Tennessee River 40 

Arrival at Crump's Landing and advance to Pittsbug Landing 40 

Battle of Shiloh 40 

Captain Wood's official report of battle of Shiloh \, , 

Stand of colors presented by "Friends at Home" 48 

Battery held in reserve at Pea Ridge 49 

Capture of W. M. Pratt at Pea Ridge 40 

March from Pea Ridge to Memphis ^0 

Occupation of Memphis 5 ] 

Incidents in camp at Memphis 51 

Departure from Memphis in advance on Vicksburg 55 

Captain Wood's official report of advance on Vicksburg 55 

Battle of Chickasaw Bayou 55 

Advanc e up Arkansas River to Arkansas Post 59 

Captain Wood's official report of battle of Arkansas Post o0 

Incidents of battle of Arkansas Post n | 

Battery moved to Young's Point 2 

Expedition up Sunflower River and Black Bayou 52 

Expedition up the Yazoo n 2 

Battle of Champion Hills ( ,2 

Siege c >f Vicksburg 63 

March from Vicksburg to Jackson, Mississippi (> 4 

Siege of Jackson, Mississippi 64 

Capture of eight men, and story of their captivity 64 

Exciting episode to Squad I during siege of Jackson 70 

From Jackson to Big Black 7 [ 

Advance on Chattanooga 71 

Occupation of Missionary Ridge 7 1 

Battery moved to Bellfont, Alabama 72 

In winter camp at Larkinsville, Alabama 72 

" Larvinsville Theatre Company" organized 7,, 

Loss of Battery "mascot'' 80 

Leaving camp at Larkinsville 82 

Start for Chattanooga on Atlanta Campaign 82 

Fight at Resaca 83 

From Resaca to Kenesaw Mountain x4 

Letters of Geo. Gates and General W. T. Sherman 85 

Return of three years men at expiration of term of service s, , 

Consolidation of Batteries "A" and ' B" 86 

Advance on Atlanta s n 

Battle of Atlanta s7 

List of captured and killed at Atlanta 87 

Battle of Jonesborough 87 

Surrender of Atlanta 88 

Last months of service at Chattam toga 88 

Return home and welcomed by friends ss 

Condensed Battery's Record so 



CHAPTER III. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



PORTRAITS 



Captain James Smith 91 

Allen, Frank S 93 

Arnold, Charles L 95 

Adams, Abbott L 91 

Adams, George E 91 

Benson, Olof "7 

Baggot, Edward 1 i 

Brewster, Henry E 103 

Brown, John P 10? 

Bailey, William H 103 

Briggs, Charles C 1 05 

Brown, George M 105 

Bartleson, Martin A 107 

Briggs, Jerome P 1 09 

Butterfield, Samuel W 109 

Botsford, John R — 

Burdick, Henry 

Clingman , Jacob 113 

Clark, Edwin D 1 

Clai ke, John H I 

Clark, Charles E I 

Cox, Nathan T I 

Chase, Horace W 1 

Chittenden, Morris A 121 

Cowlin, William H 123 

Council, John T 127 

Connell, Mrs. John T — 

Clarkson, Thaddeus S 129 

Crocker, James F 131 

Cooper, George 131 

Colby, Enoch Jr 133 

Dyer, John D 1 33 

Dusenberry, James M 135 

Dixson, Albert 133 

Dutch. James B 137 

Day, John B 137 

Eastwood, James G 137 

Emory, Fred A 139 

Farnham, Daniel R 141 

Follansbee, William P 141 

Foster, Orrington C 143 

Furness, William 145 

Fish, Edward P 145 

Gindele Ferdinand V 147 

Gould, Meric 149 

Gray, Allen W 149 

Hall, Adam C 151 

1 landy, Henry II — 

Hills, Edward S 1 55 

Hoffman, Hoxie L 155 

.Hawks, Moses 157 

318 



92 

94 

98 
100 
102 
104 
106 
108 
110 
112 
114 
116 
118 

15 
120 
122 
124 



120 
128 
130 
152 

154 
136 
138 



140 

142 



144 
146 



148 



154 
156 
158 

160 
162 

164 
166 
168 



CHAPTER III.— Continued. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES PORTRAITS 

i'AGE I'AGE 

Hughes, Edward 157 1 70 

Johnson, Edward 159 172 

Jacobs, Lewis F I 59 1 74 

Johnson, Wm. H 161 1 76 

Kantz'.er, Fred M 163 — 

Kelley, Harrison : 163 178 

Kendall, Cornelius 16^ I so 

Kennedy, Theo. W 165 Is: 

Kennedy, Sampson 1 67 [84 

Kinzie, Arthur M 1 67 — 

King, George 1 69 1 86 

Kimbell, Mr. and Mrs. M. X 16° I ss 

Kimbell, Chas. B 173 [90 

Kimbell Julius W 177 192 

Kimbell, Spencer S ISI [94 

Leavitt, Fred B 183 I9o 

Long, Jas. Henry I8" 1 I9S 

Lowe, William 185 200 

Lamb, Charles A 185 202 

Morgan, Francis 187 204 

McKnight, Thos. A IS" _ 

McCagg. George 1 8° 206 

Milner, Jas. W 191 208 

Mendsen, Edward 193 210 

Mitchell, Lewis B 195 212 

Morgan, Harrv — 214 

Nelson, Conant C I 02 - 2 In 

Pendleton, Alfred W 197 218 

Phillips, James 1 ' '7 220 

Pitts, Aurelius V 199 222 

Page, William R 201 _ 

Page. John II 20" _ 

Powell, Jeremiah D 20^ 224 

Peters, John M 207 _ 

Pratt, George A 207 226 

P. .well. Perry P 20° — 

Pease, Stephen N 21 1 22^ 

Pond, Henry H 21 1 230 

Phillips, Wm. B 213 

Paddock, James 21 3 

Poole, Charles W 215 2^2 

Risley, Harvey B 215 234 

Rice, William 221 _ 

Roberts, Harrison 221 236 

Rexford, Roscoe E 223 

Rexford, Everett H 223 2 "^s 

Rumsey, John W 227 24o 

Renfro, Wm . H — 24 2 

Sherman, Jeremiah X 22° 244 

Steele, John 22° 24n 

Stewart, Adam 22 

'I" 



CHAPTER III.— Continued. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES PORTRAITS 

PAGE PAOE 

Slosser, Mac 23 1 — 

Scott, George M 23 1 248 

Smith, Charles E 233 — 

Shrigley, James H 235 2^0 

Stiger, Silas C 23=^ 252 

Southworth, Wm. L 237 254 

Schaffer, John 237 — 

Stockton, Wm. E 239 256 

Tack, John 268 

Tobey, Edgar P 239 364 

Tallmadge, Sam. H 24 1 266 

Vernon, Wm. B 243 — 

Whitson, Frederick 243 270 

Willard, Charles M 245 272 

Williams, Edward E 245 77 

Wood, Peter P 247 274 

Wilcox, Thomas 253 276 

Young, William H 253 278 

Young, Fred W 280 

Wilcox, Edward P 282 



CHAPTER IV. 

PAGE 

Officers of Battery Veteran Association 257 

First Reunion 259 

Constitution and By-Laws of Association 2c5 

Second Reunion 279 

Third Reunion 285 

Fourth Reunion 2S6 

Fifth Reunion 289 

Sixth Reunion 2<M 

Seventh Reunion '. 292 

New Constitution and By-Laws 294 

Eighth Reunion 297 

Ninth Reunion 30 1 

Tenth Reunion 304 

Eleventh Reunion 306 

Twelfth Reunion 309 

List of Honorary Members 315 

List of Sons of Veterans Members 315 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Monument. Frontispiece. 

View of Camp Smith 11 

View " In Battery," Camp Smith 17 

Gun Squad, Camp Smith - 1 

Dining Hall, Camp Smith 25 

Battle of Chickasaw Bayou 57 

History of Pitt's Laurel Root Gun 73 

Group First Reunion 262 

Group Eighth Reunion 299 

( rroup Tenth Reunion 307 

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